Kumasi, July 5th, 2024 - The College of Science, KNUST proudly hosted SciFest Ghana 2024, an event dedicated to igniting a passion for science among pre-tertiary students in Kumasi and its surrounding areas. The festival, an initiative of Gh-Scientific, was held at the Allotey Auditorium of the College of Science and various laboratories around the KNUST campus.

Supported by the AfroScience Network, the College of Science, Ghana Science Association Kumasi Branch, Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL, KNUST), Ghana Young Academy, and WiSTEM-Gh, SciFest Ghana 2024 aimed to equip young scientists with the knowledge and tools they need to excel. RAIL, AfroScience Network, the Ghana Science Association, the College of Science, and DEXT Technologies provided funding for the event.

The festival kicked off with an opening ceremony at the Allotey Auditorium, attended by distinguished guests including the Provost and Registrar of the College of Science, KNUST, representatives from exhibiting organizations and labs, and participating schools and students. Dr. Cyril Boateng delivered the welcome address, expressing his hope that the event would inspire students to pursue science to address Ghana’s developmental challenges. Prof. Leonard Amekudzi, Provost of the College of Science, highlighted the festival’s various activities, which included mentorship sessions with esteemed science professionals, interactive science exhibitions, and lab tours.

Prof. Amekudzi encouraged students and teachers to take full advantage of the learning opportunities provided by SciFest. Ing. Dr. Mrs. Eunice Agyarko Adjei from RAIL, KNUST, captivated the audience with an insightful presentation on cutting-edge ML/AI technologies and their applications in food security, setting an inspiring tone for the rest of the event.

The festival featured engaging interactive sessions and lab tours, offering students hands-on experiences in various scientific fields such as geophysics, genomics, astronomy, veterinary sciences, photonics, meteorology and climate science, internet of things, AI and virtual reality systems for learning science.

A role model session was also held with facilitators from Women in STEM (WiSTEM-Ghana), including Dr. Augustina Angelina Sylverken, Dr. Gifty Boakye Appiah, and Prof. Mercy Badu. They provided practical advice on using social media responsibly, time management, and the importance of positive peer influence. Their stories of overcoming challenges and staying motivated resonated deeply with the students.

The event successfully inspired and equipped young scientists, fostering a deep curiosity and enthusiasm for science and technology. Students expressed excitement about the new knowledge gained and the wide range of opportunities available in the sciences.