Damongo Senior High School secures third place in Northern Zone of Energy Commission’s Renewable Energy Challenge
Damongo Senior High School (DASS) has qualified for the grand finale of the Energy Commission’s Senior High School Renewable Energy Challenge Competition after placing third in the Northern Zone competition with their groundbreaking bio-plastic development project.
Students of Damongo SHS developed a recyclable system which converts food waste into biodegradable plastic materials for domestic and industrial use.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for the Savannah Region school, which competed against six other institutions in the Northern Zone, including Sunyani Senior High, Dabokpa Technical Institute, Kintampo Senior High, Bolgatanga Senior High, Ola Girls, and Walewale Senior High.
The Northern Zone competition concluded with Dabokpa Technical School claiming the championship position, followed by Ola Girls in second place, and DASS securing the crucial third position that guarantees advancement to the national finals.
The DASS students impressed judges with their innovative approach to developing bio-plastics using locally available materials, demonstrating both scientific rigor and environmental consciousness in addressing Ghana’s plastic waste challenges.
DASS will now join five other schools in the grand finale, representing both the Northern and Southern Zones. The Southern Zone qualifiers include Presec Legon (first place), Adidome Senior High School (second place), and Ahantaman Girls (third place).
This national representation showcases the widespread participation and high-quality innovations emerging from Ghana’s secondary education system.
The Energy Commission Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge represents a strategic partnership between the Energy Commission of Ghana and the Ghana Education Service, designed to cultivate interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency among second-cycle institution students.
The initiative serves multiple educational purposes, providing a comprehensive platform for students to engage with contemporary energy challenges while developing critical research and presentation skills.
The Challenge pursues four primary objectives that align with Ghana’s broader educational and environmental goals:
A distinctive feature of the Challenge is its emphasis on utilizing locally available materials for project development. This approach not only makes the competition accessible to schools across different regions but also encourages students to identify and leverage resources within their immediate environment.
The DASS bio-plastic project exemplifies this principle, demonstrating how students can address global environmental challenges using materials and knowledge available in their local context.
As DASS prepares for the grand finale, their qualification represents more than individual school achievement. It demonstrates the potential for innovative thinking and scientific excellence across Ghana’s educational system, regardless of geographic location or resource availability.
The upcoming national competition will provide a platform for the six qualifying schools to showcase their diverse approaches to renewable energy challenges, potentially inspiring policy directions and educational initiatives that could influence Ghana’s sustainable development trajectory.
The Energy Commission’s Senior High School Renewable Energy Challenge continues to prove its value as both an educational tool and a mechanism for identifying promising young talent in Ghana’s emerging renewable energy sector.
