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1Billion Africa launches STEM for Africa Project
1Billion Africa (1BA) recently launched the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for Africa (S4A) project in Hwidiem in the Asutifi South District of the Ahafo Region of Ghana.
The S4A project, which contributes Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, 10 & 17 – Quality Education, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, and Partnerships for Development, respectively, is a bold initiative
to raise young scientists and innovators from rural communities in Africa.
1Billion Africa, a non-profit civil society organisation in Africa, inspires and empowers Africa’s youth to be change-agents in their communities by finding problems and turning them into projects.
The S4A project in Hwidiem is funded under the Engineering X programme founded in partnership with Royal Academy of Engineering and Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
The Queen Mother, Nana Attaa Adwoa Agyeiwaa Kodie II, shared her commitment and vision of bringing quality education to Hwidiem, and why she believed the S4A project was helping to facilitate the initiative.
She applauded those funding the project and partners, and urged all stakeholders to commit to playing their roles diligently. She also urged parents to be involved, and student beneficiaries to take advantage of this golden opportunity to invest in their future.
“We are piloting this initiative in Hwidiem because of the immense support demonstrated by stakeholders during previous projects by 1BA in the district,” Mr Prince Adu-Appiah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of 1Billion Africa, said.
1Billion Africa and its partners appealed to the government, institutions, companies and individuals, to help scale the project to other communities in Ghana.
For the next two years, the S4A project will capacitate 1,000 student beneficiaries in 10 schools in Hwidiem to go through a total of 52,000 hours of practical STEM tuition using the innovative Science Set toolkit
developed by Dext Technologies Limited.
The project targets school children between the ages of 10 -15 years, who are in upper primary and junior high school in Hwidiem.
A total of 15 STEM clubs would also be set up to further engage the students in other innovative STEM activities, as well as have further practical sessions with the toolkit, which can be used to perform over 30 experiments.
The experiments include; building mini-robots, circuit systems, security alarm systems, and solar panel models.
Creativity, innovation, problem-solving and critical thinking skills to solve community problems is at the heart-beat of S4A, thus two Innovation Challenge competitions will be organised within the
project period.
In addition, 50 girls selected from within the 1,000 beneficiaries will receive mentoring from STEM Champions in liaison with Synergies Institute – Sankofa Mentorship Hub.
1BA has implemented and inspired over 25 projects in three countries – Ghana, Namibia and South Africa – impacting over 12,000 people, the majority being youth, women and children.
Key project partners include; Dext Technology, Synergies Institute – Sankofa Mentorship Hub, Nana Attaa Agyeiwaa II Foundation, D S Dayta Solution, Hwidiem Traditional Council, the Asutifi South District Education, the District and Local Government Assemblies, and Community Leaders.
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Health Minister leads delegation Mimi Darko’s appointment as AMA Director General
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health and Member of Parliament has led a delegation to secure the appointment of Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, as the Director General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) during the ongoing 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.
This prestigious appointment, achieved through a competitive process, marks a proud and historic moment for Ghana and the entire continent.
It highlights Dr. Darko’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to enhancing public health and regulatory systems across Africa.
The Minister expressed his deep appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his strong support and leadership throughout this process.
Mr.Akandoh congratulated Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for their incredibly successful campaign.
The AMA was established by the African Union on November 5, 2021, with the primary objective of improving access to quality, safe, and effective medical products throughout the continent. Its creation aims to facilitate the regulation and oversight of essential medicines at a continental level while promoting collaboration among African countries and regions.
The Agency’s mission is to provide leadership in creating an enabling regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, ensuring that the African population has access to essential medical products and technologies.
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Police arrest five suspects involved in robbery cases in Ashanti Region
The Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region has informed the public about a recent breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in the Denchemuoso District.
Following a series of robbery incidents in the area, on April 22, 2025, PID/Ashanti operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Michael Owusu Ansah, alias Baby Last, aged 32.
The suspect had been on the police wanted list since 2016 in connection with a robbery and the murder of Police Officer G/Cpl Frank Essel of SWAT/Ashanti, which occurred at the Open Space Hotel in Denchemuoso on May 19, 2016.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to engaging in multiple street and residential robberies in Denchemuoso, Atwima-Techiman, Asuoyeboah, and surrounding areas.
He also disclosed that his gang operated with knives, pistols, and pump-action guns.
Further investigations led to the identification and arrest of his accomplices, namely:Emmanuel Owusu, alias Cassidy, Maxwell Gyimah, alias Nana Kwame, Sudais Oxford Ntiamoah, alias The Man Sudais and Rhano Okyere, alias Demon
These individuals were arrested from their hideouts within Atwima-Techiman and Denchemuoso.
However, one suspect, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him and recover the weapons used in the robberies.
All five arrested suspects were arraigned before the Atasomanso Circuit Court on May 13, 2025.
They were remanded into police custody and are scheduled to reappear on June 4, 2025.
