The 2025 Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Prize (GSTEP) Youth Steering Group (YSG) has inducted 22 youth ambassadors from the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Eastern Regions.
The induction ceremonies, held regionally, introduced these young leaders who will play pivotal roles in supporting junior high school teams participating in the GSTEP Challenge to the concept objectives and overview.
The ambassadors, chosen for their passion for STEM and leadership potential, are required to assist 2025 GSTEP participants and promote STEM education in their communities.
Speaking at the Greater Accra induction ceremony at the DreamOval Foundation Office, Oforiwaa Asiamah Adjei, the Executive Director of DreamOval Foundation, emphasised the importance of the YSG initiative.
“The YSG programme of GSTEP is designed to honour young people who want to give back to participants. We identified these individuals as leaders in their communities, eager to drive change and invest in education and innovation,” she said.
She highlighted that the selected ambassadors demonstrated exceptional creativity, passion and dedication to STEM-related activities, making them ideal candidates for the programme.
As part of the initiative, YSG members will undergo extensive skill development to enhance their leadership, communication and other soft skills.
“They have been selected not only to assist GSTEP participants, but also to empower themselves with skills and resources to become leaders in their communities. DreamOval Foundation is committed to equipping these ambassadors with masterclasses in communication, public speaking, logistics and event management,” Mrs. Asiamah Adjei stated.
In addition to the masterclasses, the YSG members will be paired with mentors who will guide them throughout their journey as ambassadors.
Special Guest at the Ashanti Region YSG induction event, Dr. Williams Kwame Amankra Appiah, Ashanti Regional Director of Education, lauded the GSTEP consortium for the youth ambassador programme.
“GSTEP is making an incredible investment in our youths by starting at the basic school level, which is essential for nurturing and motivating future leaders. This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision at the Ghana Education Service, and we are proud to collaborate with them on such a transformative programme for our young ones,” he remarked.
One of the Greater Accra youth ambassadors, Adelaide Mantebea Mantey, who couldn’t hide her emotions, expressed excitement over her nomination to be part of the YSG programme.
“I have been able to learn a lot of things. When I signed up for the programme, I didn’t know much about it. I thought we were going to be volunteering for the GSTEP Challenge, but I’ve come to realise that there’s so much more than just volunteering; being part of the event includes mentorship sessions and building our communication skills. So, I’m very excited to be part of this opportunity,” she indicated.
As she aspires to be an advocate for STEM, a ‘STEMPreneur’ and to enlighten people about science and technology, she is ready to be open to learning advanced innovations and improving her communication skills through the training sessions.
The 22 ambassadors were inducted through engaging ceremonies across the three regions: Greater Accra welcoming seven ambassadors; Eastern Region welcoming eight ambassadors; and Ashanti Region welcoming seven ambassadors.
In addition to their leadership roles, the Youth Steering Group (YSG) members play a pivotal part in the success of the 2025 GSTEP Challenge by spearheading the evaluation and judging of the prestigious Perseverance Awards.
YSG members from all regions will collaboratively review submissions from perseverance teams, applying their skills to shortlist the top 15 teams for the awards. During the Exhibition and Awards Ceremony, they will evaluate the shortlisted teams’ pitches and prototypes, ultimately selecting the two winners for this recognition. This responsibility underscores the YSG’s role as advocates for innovation and inclusivity within the GSTEP Challenge.
GSTEP 2025
The GSTEP is an initiative aimed at cultivating STEM talent among young learners in Ghana. The challenge encourages students to think critically, collaborate and develop solutions that address real-world challenges, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
GSTEP is funded by Fondation Botnar and implemented by a consortium of partners, comprising DreamOval Foundation, the Partnership Bureau, Shulem Lake, and Practical Education Network (PEN).
