By Dr. Lucy ANNING
Under the inspiring theme ‘Igniting Africa’s Future on a Bed of Stardust’, the LucyAnn Excellence Awards 2025 transformed Rising Academy School in Kasoa into a dazzling showcase of young scientific brilliance on Friday, May 30, 2025.
This groundbreaking ceremony celebrated Africa’s next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pioneers, spotlighting innovations that promise to reshape the continent’s future.
The awards ceremony, more than just a competition, was born from a visionary initiative designed to unearth latent talent.
The awards challenged over 50 exceptional students from Rising Academy School with a rigorous, months-long STEM project, building innovations from waste materials or products. The goal was audacious, thus pushing boundaries, fostering critical thinking and birthing tangible solutions from fertile young minds.
The result was an electrifying display of ingenuity that left judges and attendees alike in awe.
The crucible of competition: Where rigor met revelation
The path to recognition was demanding as student projects underwent intense scrutiny and spirited intellectual banter, subjected to the exact standards of the distinguished Award Committee.
STEM Ambassador for the DevAfrica Institute with chapters in Accra, the United Kingdom (UK) and South Africa, Gloria Brew, led the rigorous evaluation process.
“Witnessing the sheer calibre of thought and application displayed by these students was nothing short of humbling. They didn’t just complete projects but they tackled local and global challenges with solutions that were both ingenious and deeply practical. The ‘stardust’ in this year’s theme wasn’t just metaphorical, as we saw glimpses of the extraordinary brilliance that will shape our continent and our world in this digital era and beyond.”
Six stars ascendant crowned the champions of innovation
From this formidable field of over fifty contenders, six stellar talents emerged with their projects shining with distinct brilliance in their specialised niches.
1. First place: Jonathan Oteng – For his sustainable automated dustbin, basket made from waste plastic containers and a movable prototype of a tricycle and aeroplane using recycled waste materials from the environment. His award consisted of comprehensive educational accoutrements and a significant Cash Prize
- Second place: Lily Boahen – For her colourful wall hanging, flower bouquet and a flower vase, all made with recycled waste materials from our environment. Her award consisted of advanced educational tools and a substantial cash prize.
3. Third place: Kardijah Alhassan – For her innovative, low-cost pencil holder, a lunch box and a mini book shelf, all from recycled waste materials in her immediate environment. Kardijah was awarded essential educational resources plus an appreciable Cash Prize.
Three individuals also received ‘excellence awards’ and were honoured with essential educational resources and a cash prize. These are Joshua Eyison, Prosper Anan and Sidi Yussif.
Catalysing a continental STEM revolution beyond the podium
The LucyAnn Excellence Awards 2025 transcends individual accolades, standing as a powerful beacon within Ghana, across Africa and globally, strategically designed to encourage, inspire and dramatically accelerate the STEM agenda.
By showcasing the tangible outcomes of investing in young scientific minds capable of solving real-world problems with creativity and technical skill, the awards send an unequivocal message that Africa’s future is bright, innovative and rooted in STEM excellence among relational others.
Principal of Rising Academies Network, Mr. Hopeson, said: “The Rising Academy School is immensely proud to host this catalytic event”.
