Koforidua (E/R), July 14, GNA – Mamfe Methodist Girls Senior High School (MEGHIS) obtained 78 points to beat seven other schools to be crowned champions of the 2021 Senior High School’s Renewable Energy Challenge organised by the Energy Commission in Koforidua.
The contest, which was held at the Ghana SHS assembly hall saw Oti Boateng Senior High School (OBOSS) coming second with 75 points, while Okuapeman Senior High School (OKUASS) placed third with 71 points.
The fourth position went to Mampong Presbyterian Senior High School (PRESEC) who obtained 68.67 points, with Kade Senior High and Technical School (KASTECH) placing fifth position with 68.33.
While Aburi Presbyterian Senior High and Technical School had 67 points, Aburi Girls Senior High School (ABUGISS) got 66.33 points placing sixth and seventh positions respectively with ST. Pauls Technical School taking the eighth position with 64.67 points.
For the prizes, all participants received four certificates of which two went to the participants, one for the teacher in charge of the team and one for the school.
The participants also received souvenirs from the title sponsor, Bui Power Authority, and a cash prize of 500 Ghana cedis each.
Meanwhile, the winning school, MEGHIS, has qualified to represent the Eastern Region at the National Senior High School’s Renewable Energy Challenge 2021.
MEGHIS team, which was represented by Annie Offei Adobea, a Form Three Science two student and Evelyn Baah Asante a Form Three Arts 1B student created a Solar warming device, which was created from glass, rubber, aluminium foil and cloth.
The other schools also created solar water heater, sankofa solar inverter, solar lights, bio-gas digester, urine power, wind energy system and hybrid renewable energy system.
As part of the rules of the contest, each school was given 10 minutes to give its presentation and another 10 minutes to answer questions from the judges.
The renewable energy Challenge has the objective to develop the research skills of SHS students and promote technological innovation in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The challenge also seeks to instil in students a passion for solving renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate challenges through innovative research.
It further aims to develop the presentation skills of SHS students and promote self-confidence as well as encourage hard work through public recognition and rewards.
Mr Pascal Kanbonnabah Director, Administration, Bui Power Authority said the negative effect of Greenhouse emissions mainly due to the production of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuel has resulted in the world experiencing global warming, rising sea levels, floods, change in rainfall patterns among others.
“This indicates that, the deployment of renewable energy to meet the growing energy demand of future generations is, therefore, an excellent approach to help mitigate climate change.”
He said, though some modest efforts to deploy renewable energy technologies have been made, they believed the bulk of the ideas to increase the share of renewable energy in the country were hidden in some students.
He said the Bui Power Authority was, therefore, proud to partner with the Energy Commission for the 2021 SHS Renewable Energy Challenge, which is aimed to help uncover the renewable energy talent hidden in the students.
Evelyn Baah Asante, one of the MEGHIS participants told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that they were made to spend a day outside to brainstorm, research and come out with their project.
She stated that winning the contest made her feel elated and very productive to society.
She said they were going to improve on their project and come out with a different one during the national competition to scoop the ultimate prize.
GNA