Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has urged young Ghanaians to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics as key tools for innovation, problem-solving and national development.

He made the call at the 2026 Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Ghana National Qualifiers held at the Ghana International School (GIS) in Accra.

The event, organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with MakersPlace, brought together 45 teams — comprising 28 junior teams and 17 senior teams — to develop robotic solutions focused on agriculture and food security.

Addressing participants, the Minister emphasised that the true value of the competition goes beyond winning medals or trophies, stressing that participation itself reflects commitment, courage and curiosity.

“Whether you come first or not, you are already winners,” he told the students. “Your presence here shows curiosity, determination, and the confidence to challenge yourselves.”

He further encouraged young people to view AI and robotics not as distant technologies but as practical tools for solving real-world challenges, particularly in agriculture and food systems.

Samuel Nartey George also called for robotics competitions to be institutionalised across the country, suggesting that such programmes should be expanded into regular national initiatives to sustain interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

According to him, such platforms help shift young people from being passive consumers of technology to active creators of solutions that address societal needs.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to investing in digital skills development and initiatives that prepare Ghanaian youth for emerging opportunities in AI, robotics and the wider digital economy.

Also speaking at the event, Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, stressed the importance of experiential learning in strengthening classroom education.

She noted that competitions such as the Robotics for Good Challenge expose students to real-world problem-solving while helping them build teamwork, creativity, resilience and analytical thinking skills.

“These activities expose you to practical problem-solving beyond what is taught in the classroom,” she said. “You learn how to collaborate, think critically, and design solutions that can make a real impact.”

Prof. Kaufmann commended the innovation displayed by the students, adding that Ghanaian youth continue to demonstrate strong potential on international platforms. She expressed optimism that with adequate support and investment, Ghana could produce globally competitive talent in robotics and AI.

Chief Executive Officer of MakersPlace, Douglas Ayitey, also explained the structure of the competition, noting that teams were tasked with building autonomous robotic solutions to address challenges in agriculture and food security.

He encouraged participants to remain persistent in the face of technical setbacks, describing failure as part of the innovation journey.

“Robotics is not only about technical ability. It is also about resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving,” he said. “Even when things go wrong, you keep improving and trying again.”

He added that the best-performing junior and senior teams would represent Ghana at the global finals in Geneva, where they will compete against other countries.

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge forms part of a global initiative aimed at equipping young people with emerging technology skills to tackle pressing societal challenges while preparing them for future roles in the digital economy.

Sam George urges youth to embrace AI and robotics for country development

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