For the 2026 edition of the Ghana Science & Tech Explorer Challenge Prize (GSTEP), we are thrilled to announce the inclusion of the Volta Region, expanding participation beyond the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Eastern Regions.

This expansion means more young learners will have the opportunity to develop innovative prototypes, receive expert mentorship, STEM resources and showcase their talents on a national stage. By welcoming the Volta Region, GSTEP continues its mission of empowering students with hands-on STEM skills that prepare them to solve real-world problems and shape Ghana’s future.

Speaking on the expansion, Constance Agyeman, founder of GSTEP, said:

“Our vision has always been to make GSTEP a truly national movement that reaches every corner of Ghana. By welcoming the Volta Region for the 2026 challenge year, we are taking another bold step towards ensuring that all young people, regardless of where they live, have access to practical STEM education. The creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork nurtured through GSTEP are not only skills for the classroom but also the foundations of Ghana’s future innovators and leaders.”

Across Ghana, access to quality STEM education remains a challenge. According to UNESCO, less than 50% of junior high school students in Sub-Saharan Africa enroll in STEM-related fields, and Ghana is no exception. Limited practical resources, teacher training gaps, and low participation from rural areas hinder the development of critical STEM skills.

Since its launch in 2022, GSTEP has been helping to close this gap. The Challenge has already engaged over 500 schools and 31,000 students, training over 700 teachers and producing hundreds of student-led prototypes tackling real-life issues such as clean water, waste management, and renewable energy. The 2025 edition alone saw 50 finalist teams present their innovations at a national exhibition in Accra. 

For 2026, 140 semi-finalist teams will be selected across the four participating regions, with 60 advancing through the finalist support stage to the national exhibition and awards ceremony. With this expansion, GSTEP is making STEM education even more inclusive and impactful, bringing Ghana closer to building a generation of bold, STEM-powered changemakers.

Applications for the 2026 GSTEP Challenge open on 15th September 2025 and close on 5th November 2025. Apply here: https://www.gstep.org.gh/challenge/