The Annual Impact Roundtable Discussion (AIRTAD) & Robotics Competition ends the 2025 edition leaving behind a legacy of innovation and a renewed commitment to STEAM education in Ghana and beyond.
Held from February 22 to 26, the fourth edition of AIRTAD was dubbed the Impact Year for the Yamoransa Model Labs (YM Labs) Program, which has since 2016 been providing students in deprived communities with state-of-the-art ICT and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education facilities, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological world.
The event saw over 700 attendees, bringing together industry leaders in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) field, policymakers, students, and young innovators from the various Yamoransa Model Labs in Ghana, Liberia and The Gambia to celebrate the impact of the Yamoransa Model (YM) Labs Program on STEAM education and explore solutions to challenges in integrating STEAM into Africa’s educational landscape.
The event kicked off with preliminary competitions on February 22 & 24, hosted at Academic City University. The preliminary session of AIRTAD 2025 saw YM Labs beneficiaries from Ghana, Liberia, and The Gambia and students from various senior high schools in Ghana including the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School, Accra Academy, St. Mary’s Senior High School, Odorgonno Senior High School, Presby Senior High – Teshie, Labone Senior High School, Accra Girls Senior High School, Aburi Girls Senior High School, and Achimota School competing in riddles, problem-solving challenges, and hands-on robotics tasks.
At the end of the preliminary competitions, Achimota School, YM Lab Liberia, YM Lab 3.1, and Accra Academy advanced to the grand finale of the Senior High School (SHS) competition, while YM Lab 7, YM Lab 8, YM Lab 4, and YM Lab 11 qualified for the basic school finals.
The main event, held at the Cedi Conference Center, University of Ghana, on February 25 and 26, was a powerful gathering of stakeholders discussing the impact and future of STEAM education in Africa.
The opening remarks featured esteemed guests, including Prof. Elsie Kaufmann, Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, and the Country Representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to Ghana, Mr. Edmund Moukala. Their speeches emphasized the crucial role of technology, robotics, and innovation in transforming education and preparing students for the future.
The event featured other key highlights including the Yamoransa Model Roadmap Talks which featured the visionaries behind the YM Labs Program including Dr. Deborah Rose, President, Helping Africa Foundation (HAF), Mr Japhet Aryiku, Executive Director, HAF, Mr Jonathan Wiesner, Deputy Executive Director, HAF and Mr Kafui Prebbie, CEO, IMPLEMENTERS. The discussion delved into the impact of the Yamoransa Model Labs and highlighted the expansion and sustainability of YM Labs across Africa.
Roundtable Discussions on The Yamoransa Model as a Blueprint of Sustainability featured panelists including Hon. Vincent Oppong Asamoah, Member of Parliament for Dormaa West, Victor Opare-Addo, GES Representative for YM Lab 7, Edward Kwarteng Owusu, Center Manager for YM Lab 8, and Richard Brefo Boateng, Assistant Impact Manager, IMPLEMENTERS, discuss the role of STEAM education in solving real-world problems.
Further discussions on Sustaining Impact and Scaling Innovation in STEAM Education put a focus on empowering educators and expanding STEAM opportunities for students. This session was moderated by Prof. Elsie Kaufmann, and featured astute professionals including Nana Darko Asiedu, country manager, ALX Ghana, Abdul Hamid Yakub, Program Specialist, UNESCO Ghana, Mrs. Faruiza Safian, Executive Director, CAMFED Ghana, and Dr. Dennis Sinyolo, Africa Director for Education International.
A notable moment during the event was the attendance of His Excellency Hiroshi Yoshimoto, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ghana, who delivered a powerful speech on the need to utilize STEM skills to think critically to solve problems. He further emphasized that the power of STEM has the potential to expand young people’s capabilities.
The event further featured project exhibitions from young innovators from YM Labs pitch groundbreaking projects addressing sustainable development goals including zero hunger through sustainable agriculture (SDG 2), affordable & clean energy solutions (SDG 7), smart homes for sustainable urban living (SDG 11).
The final day of AIRTAD 2025 saw a thrilling grand finale of the senior high and basic school robotics competition. In the Senior High category, Achimota School emerged as the champions, taking home GHS 6,000 cash prize, four laptops, and an educational support fund of GHS 18,000. YM Lab Liberia secured second place, earning GHS 3,000 cash prize and an educational support fund of GHS 15,000, while YM Lab 3.1 claimed third place, receiving GHS 2,000 cash prize and an educational support fund of GHS 10,000.
In the Basic School category, YM Lab 7 clinched the championship title, winning a GHS 5,000 cash prize and an educational support fund of GHS 12,000. YM Lab 8 finished as runners-up, securing GHS 3,000 cash prize and an educational support fund of GHS 10,000, while YM Lab 4 took third place, earning GHS 2,000 cash prize and an additional GHS 7,000 in educational support.
As part of efforts to empower the individuals who drive the success of the Yamoransa Model Labs Program, a specialized Robotics, AI & Leadership Training was conducted on February 27 and 28 for YM Lab beneficiaries, center managers, and Ghana Education Service (GES) representatives. This two-day training equipped participants with advanced technical skills, critical problem-solving strategies, and leadership techniques to drive future innovation in their communities.
The event ended with a renewed commitment from partners and policymakers to expand STEAM education and ensure continued innovation and sustainability in Ghana’s educational sector.
AIRTAD is a flagship initiative designed to evaluate the successes of the Yamoransa Model Labs and to celebrate the innovations and talents of young minds in STEAM. With over 13 labs across Ghana, Liberia, and The Gambia, the initiative is shaping the next generation of problem-solvers and tech innovators.
