The 2026 Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Challenge Prize (GSTEP) has officially launched under the theme “Curiosity to Impact: STEM Without Borders,” marking another milestone in Ghana’s mission to make science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education more practical and accessible to young people across the country.

The virtual launch event, held via Zoom and streamed live on Facebook, brought together teachers, students, STEM coordinators, industry professionals, and development partners. This year’s edition marks a significant expansion of the Challenge into the Volta Region, extending its reach beyond Greater Accra, Eastern, and Ashanti Regions to engage even more students in STEM innovation and problem-solving.

In her welcome address, Afua Oforiwaa Asiamah Adjei, Executive Director of the DreamOval Foundation described the expansion as a major step toward democratizing access to STEM learning.

“The inclusion of the Volta Region in this year’s Challenge is a testament to GSTEP’s growth and its commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in Ghana’s STEM journey,” she said. “We’ve seen how GSTEP transforms classrooms into innovation hubs — and now, we’re opening that opportunity to more schools, more students, and more communities.”

Providing an overview of the Challenge, Constance Agyeman, Founder of the Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Challenge Prize, reflected on the programme’s progress and its growing national impact.

“From 2021 to 2025, GSTEP has inspired thousands of students to explore science and technology as tools for real-world problem-solving,” she said. “Last year alone, over 1,350 innovative ideas were submitted by students who used STEM to address local challenges — from clean energy and sustainable farming to smart city innovations. This year, with our expansion into the Volta Region, we are one step closer to a nationwide movement where curiosity meets purpose, and innovation has no borders.”

Delivering the keynote address, Francis Ahene-Affoh, Lead for Partnership & Alliance at Partnership Bureau, emphasised the importance of partnerships and sustained investment in Ghana’s STEM ecosystem.

“GSTEP is more than a competition — it’s a pipeline for innovation,” he said. “The ideas we see from students show us what’s possible when education is practical, when teachers are empowered, and when young people are given the tools to lead change in their communities.”

The Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Challenge Prize (GSTEP) is a STEM innovation programme that encourages junior high school students to apply science and technology in solving community challenges. Over the past four years, it has reached more than 30,000 students, trained 2,000 teachers, and supported over 200 innovative student teams to design, test, and present their prototypes at regional and national exhibitions.

Applications for the 2026 GSTEP Challenge are now open to junior high schools in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti, and Volta regions. Selected teams will receive mentorship, teacher support, and access to practical STEM lessons to help them develop their ideas into working prototypes.

For more information and to apply, visit www.gstep.org.gh.