By Rihana Adam, GNA
Accra, July 27, GNA – Six Ghanaian teams have qualified to represent the country at the 2026 World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Finals in Puerto Rico in December after emerging victorious at the National Robotics Competition and WRO National Qualifier.
It was held at the GCB Lecture Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon.
The competition, organised by the Ghana Robotics Academy Foundation (GRAF), brought together 52 teams from across the country to compete in 11 challenges in the Elementary, Junior, Senior, Open and Tertiary categories.
The qualifying teams were Sankofa Tech of Mikrobot Academy, Accra (WRO Future Innovators, Junior), Agokansie of Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, Legon (WRO Future Innovators, Senior), Bohemaian of Mikrobot Academy, Kumasi (WRO Robomission, Elementary), Technologia of Mikrobot Academy, Kumasi (WRO Robomission, Junior), Atlas of Our Lady of Grace SHS, Mampongteng (WRO Robomission, Senior) and ARTEMIS of the University of Ghana, Legon (WRO Future Engineers).
Four other teams that placed first in the National Robotics Competition under the Robotics-inspired Science Education (RiSE) programme would be recognised at the next National Awards Ceremony.
They are Robogenius of Mikrobot Academy, Tarkwa (RiSE-ARC, Elementary), Groot of Mikrobot Academy, Kumasi (RiSE-ARC, Junior), Matrix of Our Lady of Grace SHS, Mampongteng (RiSE-ARC, Open), and Sentinel of Our Lady of Grace SHS, Mampongteng (RiSE-Multi Grain Colour Sorter).
To provide more international exposure for young Ghanaian innovators, five additional teams would be representing the country at two World Robot Olympiad Open Championships in September.
Two teams from Aslan Robotics and Bosomtwi Girls’ STEM SHS would be competing at the WRO Open Championship in Hyderabad, India, while three teams from Mikrobot Academy (Tarkwa and Tema) and Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, Legon, would be participate in the WRO Open Championship in California, United States.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Dr Yaw Okraku-Yirenkyi, Founding Member of GRAF, said the event combined the World Robot Olympiad National Qualifier and the National Robotics Competition under the Robotics-inspired Science Education (RiSE) programme.
He explained that the winning WRO teams had earned the honour of representing Ghana at the World Robot Olympiad Finals in Puerto Rico, where they would compete against about 500 teams from nearly 80 countries.
Dr Okraku-Yirenkyi said the RiSE programme sought to develop a large pool of problem-solvers by harnessing the motivational power of robotics while instilling values such as integrity, teamwork, stewardship and respect for others.
He said, “we are not only training young people to design, build and programme robots but also preparing them to become responsible innovators and leaders who will solve real-life problems in their communities.”
He commended all participating teams, coaches, parents and partners for their unwavering commitment to advancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Ghana.
Dr Okraku-Yirenkyi expressed confidence that the Ghanaian teams would perform creditably at the global championship and continue to inspire more young people to embrace robotics, innovation and technology.
Rev. Acheampong E. S. Builderman, a volunteer consultant with GRAF, described robotics as an essential component of education that nurtured critical thinking, creativity and innovation among young people.
He said robotics education should be introduced in schools nationwide because it complemented STEM education and equipped learners with practical skills applicable to every profession.
He said, “whether a child wants to become a caterer, a musician or an engineer, robotics helps to develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.”
Rev. Builderman appealed for increased funding, sponsorship and policy support from government and stakeholders to expand robotics education across the country, noting that many students who had participated in the programme had secured scholarships to top universities abroad.
He said sustained investment in robotics and STEM education would make a significant contribution to Ghana’s socio-economic development by equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba