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A 21-year-old Level 300 student of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Western Region, Ms Bottozah Biana Bubune, was yesterday crowned the 2024 Miss Geek Ghana in a keenly contested competition in Accra.
Miss Geek Ghana, is an entrepreneurship competition initiated by Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation which aimed at creating awareness and encourage young girls between the ages of 13 and 21 to submit solutions that solve socio-economic problems through technological innovations.
• Mrs Owusu-Ekuful (middle) with Bottozah B. Bubune (fourth from right),the overall
winner. With them are other winners and dignitaries Photo: Victor A. Buxton
She beat nine other contestants with her presentation which utilises IoT-connected seismic sensors and data analytics to monitor illegal mining activities in remote areas. Her mobile application ensures real-time data transmission and addresses the issue of limited internet connectivity in these regions, providing a robust solution to combat illegal mining and its environmental impact.
She received GH¢10,000, a laptop, plaque, certificate and would represent Ghana at the Miss Geek Africa Competition, to be held in Nairobi, Kenya next year.
Adelaide Mante, 15-year-old, form three student of Aburi Girl’s Senior High School, Eastern Region, who placed second had her presentation dubbed “Smart Agriculture System,” which addresses the challenges of climate change and aims to improve crop yields.
By integrating smart technologies, her project enhances agricultural productivity and sustainability, ensuring that farmers can adapt to changing environmental conditions and secure better harvests.
She received GH¢5,000, a laptop, plaque and certificate of participation.
Leticia Makafui Ahiamadzi, 20-year-old, Level 200 student of University of Ghana, Greater Accra Region, placed third with her presentation on digitising the environmental sector using geospatial technologies.
Her web-based data collection system utilises Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and web platforms like OpenStreetMap to collect and analyse data on environmental risks. This innovative solution addresses challenges such as flooding, pollution, seismic activity, and illegal mining, providing crucial information to mitigate these risks.
She received GH¢4,000, a laptop, and a certificate of participation.
The seven other finalists, each got a laptop and certificate of participation.
The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, said a total of 66 applications from across the country were received, however, 15 best Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions were selected.
The applicants, she said were enrolled in a one week residential masterclass from July 28 to August 3, 2024, adding that through the masterclass, 10 out of the 15 shortlisted applications were selected through an impressive display of talent, innovation and technological ingenuity.
Their projects, she said ranged from environmental sustainability to healthcare digitisation and agriculture management.
“I want to acknowledge the tireless efforts our judges and selection team put into critically analysing our applicants to ensure that the deserving girls were shortlisted,” she added.
Mrs Owusu-Ekuful indicated that as Ghana stood at the threshold of a digital revolution, the ministry acknowledge that gender equality was not merely an aspirational goal but a fundamental necessity.
She expressed government’s commitment to the course as guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aimed to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
The minister commended all the winners and other participants who couldn’t make it and urged them to continue to thrive in using ICT to creating innovative solutions.
The initiative was support by Ascend Digital Solutions Limited, Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications, Telecel-Ghana, National Communications Authority, Satguru Travel and Dynamic Data Solutions.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
