High Schools

Sogakope SHS Wins SHS Renewable Energy Challenge with Five-in-One Agriculture Machine

19th October 2023

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | October 19 |Sogakope SHS Wins SHS Renewable Energy Challenge with Five-in-One Agriculture Machine

Sogakope Senior High School from the Volta Region has won the 2023 SHS Renewable Energy Challenge with a five-in-one agriculture machine called “The Farmers’ Friend”. The machine is capable of slashing, irrigating, sowing, spraying, and harrowing, and all of its systems can be controlled using a control panel and a dashboard.

Sogakope Senior High School (SHS) from the Volta Region has won the 2023 SHS Renewable Energy Challenge with a five-in-one agriculture machine called “The Farmers’ Friend”. The team beat six other schools in the competition to emerge victorious.

The Farmers’ Friend is a machine that can slash, irrigate, sow, spray, and harrow. All of its systems can be controlled using a control panel and a dashboard, and all parts are accessible, whether in use or not. The machine also has a canopy system to protect the farmer from the sun.

The Farmers’ Friend can be pushed, paddled, or electronically moved. Every part of the machine is operated electronically, making work easier and faster with less cost. The machine is also environmentally friendly.

At the end of the competition, which took place at the Accra International Conference Centre on Thursday, October 19, 2023, Ogakepe SHS received a cash prize of GH¢10,000, a five-kilowatt solar system, 30 solar lamps, 25 integrated science books, 25 LED streetlights, 10 dustbins, 10 hand washing sinks, and a notepad.

The team members also received GH¢15,000, an extra GH¢5,000 for emerging as the best team in the competition, five laptops, 15 solar lamps, and five solar fans.

Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ SHS won second place and received a GH¢7,000 cash prize, 25 solar lamps, 20 integrated science books, and 25 LED streetlights.

The team members received GH¢10,000, five tablets, 10 solar lamps, and five solar fans.

For winning third place, Kwabre SHS received GH¢5,000, 20 solar lamps, 15 integrated science books, and 25 LED streetlights.

The team members received GH¢7,500, five tablets, and 19 solar lampshades.

Mfantsiman Girls’ SHS, Dormaa SHS, and Serwaa Kese SHS all received GH¢3,000 each for emerging fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively.

This year’s edition of the SHS Renewable Energy Challenge was held on the theme: “Mechanised Small-Scale Agriculture using Renewable Energy Technologies”. Participating schools were expected to develop projects in the area of agriculture where renewable energy technologies could be utilised.

The competition was opened to all second-cycle schools in the country, and an opportunity was given to every region to present the best 10 schools to compete in the regional competitions.

Up to 125 senior high and technical schools participated in 16 regional competitions. Among these were 97 mixed schools, 17 girls’ schools, and 11 boys’ schools.

The winners of the regional competitions were grouped into the northern and southern zones, with each zone comprising eight schools.

The best three schools were selected from each zone to present their innovative projects at the grand finale of the challenge.

The SHS Renewable Energy Challenge is an annual competition organized by the Energy Commission of Ghana to promote research and innovation in renewable energy and energy efficiency among students in second-cycle institutions