A team of young innovators from Lagos, Nigeria, emerged as standout performers at the Ghana Robotics Competition, clinching the best innovation and coach awards and underscoring the growing ingenuity and competitive edge of Nigerian talent.
On October 9, the Whitesands School Robotics team won the best innovation project award and the best coach award at the 2026 Ghana Robotics Competition (GRC), held at the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
The competing schools were from different Regions in Ghana, with the Nigerian team as the only invited International team.
George Sarfo, the convener of GRC and CEO of Firefly IO, encouraged and applauded all the participants, notable guests and coaches who made the event a memorable one, noting that it showcases the potential of African youth to excel in science and technology through collaborative efforts by repeating the Theme of this year: “AI and Robotics for Sustainable Africa”.
Besides, he emphasised that the 2026 GRC primary aim is to inspire and empower the next generation of African engineers, innovators and problem-solvers by providing a platform for students to develop practical skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) through robotics, creativity and collaboration.
The Whitesands school team competed with three innovation projects: the Aquapod, the Farmlink and the Harvest Guard. The Aquapod is an autonomous floating robot that uses sensors (temperature, pH, turbidity, TDS, dissolved oxygen) and GPS to continuously monitor water quality, while a front conveyor mechanism collects floating solid waste like plastic bottles and debris into a basket.
The second project is the Farmlink, an offline-first agricultural system that allows rural farmers to weigh and log produce at solar-powered Smart Collection Stations without needing smartphones. Data is transmitted via LoRa to a local Village Gateway, which stores it offline and syncs with an online marketplace via cellular network when available.
The most outstanding project of the three was the HarvestGuard, which is an automated storage and monitoring system designed to prevent post-harvest spoilage, especially in perishable crops like tomatoes, by tracking temperature, humidity, and weight. It evaluates spoilage risk and automatically triggers ventilation fans and alerts to stabilize storage conditions.
Together, the three projects align with eight of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 2 – Zero Hunger; SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities; SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13 – Climate Action, and SDG 14 – Life Below Water.
By addressing challenges related to food security, agricultural productivity, rural connectivity, economic inclusion, waste reduction, and environmental protection, these innovations demonstrate the potential of secondary-school students to develop practical, technology-driven solutions to pressing societal and environmental challenges.
Each project had three students who worked on it. The nine students who represented the Whitesands School Robotics Club were: Jaden Jack, Eric Jack, Oluwaseun Abiola, Oseni Kamal, Samuel Oguigo, Okoli Chukwuebuka, Munachimso Chidi-Okpe, Uche Michaels, and Kamkenechukwu Okonkwo.
The three projects took more than a month of preparation in Nigeria and further preparation when the students arrived in Ghana. During one of their Saturday preparations, the students were visited by two alumni of the school who won the First prize at the 2025 Pan-African Robotics Competition. The students had the opportunity to ask questions and learn from the experience that was shared with them.
The students received guidance and support from their dedicated parents who made every effort to bring them to school for robotics camps and provided them with the necessary resources for their projects.
They were accompanied by their coaches, Chinedu Ernest, Adebayo Olaore, and Barry Josiah, whose passion, dedication, guidance, and mentorship played a crucial role in the team’s success.
The Staff of Projectcage Technology were also instrumental in providing the technical training the boys received.
With more than 30 schools from different regions of Ghana, it was an opportunity to foster relationships and connections between schools and countries.
The team’s success underscores the importance of engaging students in STEAM fields and encouraging technological advancements with practical applications.
The school’s philosophy emphasises the integral development of each student, focusing on intellectual, moral, physical, and social growth.
The institution’s vision is to produce well-rounded, intellectually competent, morally upright, and socially responsible individuals. Its mission is to provide an educational environment that promotes academic excellence, character development, and leadership skills.
Charles Ogwo is a proactive journalist, driving education, and business innovations for over 10 years. He leads initiatives leveraging tech to enhance storytelling and build topnotch performing team. Charles is passionate about harnessing technology to inform, engage and empower communities.
