BTA Admin The Robotics Club of Academic City University has held its annual Tech Expo to promote innovative and sustainable solutions to Ghana’s illegal mining crisis, widely known as galamsey.
Organised in partnership with A Rocha Ghana, Asante Gold Corporation, and STEMAIDE, the event was themed “Innovating to Reverse the Effects of Galamsey and Restore the Earth.” It brought together students, industry players, and environmental advocates to explore technology-driven responses to the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
The expo featured participation from leading senior high schools, including Achimota School, Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, St. Louis SHS, and Methodist Girls’ SHS, as well as universities such as Ashesi University, University of Ghana, University of Mines and Technology, and Kumasi Technical University.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, urged students to develop practical and impactful innovations to address national challenges. She emphasized the importance of supporting promising ideas with resources to ensure real-world implementation.
The President of the Academic City Robotics Club, Ezekiel Kpodo, said the expo was designed to provide a platform for students to contribute meaningfully to the fight against illegal mining through technology and innovation. He stressed the need for Ghana to adopt modern, tech-driven approaches to reduce environmental degradation.
“We believe students can produce practical solutions that authorities can adopt in tackling the impact of galamsey,” he said.
A panel discussion held during the event examined the growing environmental and security concerns linked to illegal mining. Panelists included Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, alongside environmental and sustainability experts.
They raised concerns about the increasing use of violence by illegal miners and called for sustained, coordinated interventions to effectively address the problem.
The Tech Expo highlighted the growing role of youth innovation in addressing national challenges, with stakeholders emphasizing the need to translate ideas into actionable solutions that can support environmental restoration efforts across Ghana.
