June 15, 2023
The AfriCAN Code Challenge is a coding competition organised across Africa that attracts youth between the ages of 8 to 16 years to develop a game using the Scratch programming language. The competition is organised in Ghana by DreamOval Foundation in partnership with SAP with support from UNESCO and Irish Aid and invites Ghanaian youth interested in coding to submit entries to participate. The competition encourages participants to develop solutions to problems around them through coding.
The 2022 competition challenged Ghana’s youth to develop a multiplayer game using Scratch that addresses the theme “Protecting Life Together”. Several entries were received from individuals and coding groups in Ghana. The entries were presented in a 3-minute YouTube video that explained how the video game was developed, how it works, and how it addresses the theme provided.
Three entries were selected as the best entries from Ghana. The Unique Coding Club from the Ashanti region came third with their Anti-Pollution Diver Game that addresses pollution in water bodies. Elorm Bennet from Archbishop Andoh R/C Basic School in the Greater Accra region came in second with a game that addresses road accidents in Ghana. Patience Atwedaa from Martyrs of Uganda Basic School in the Greater Accra region came first with an interactive game on flooding in Ghana.
The AfriCAN Code Challenge is encouraging young Ghanaians to be creative and innovative in the application of technological skills. The impact of digital skills can be seen in the rise of digital entrepreneurship across Africa. Young individuals armed with programming, web development, and digital marketing skills have established thriving startups that address local challenges and cater to global markets. These enterprises not only generate income and employment but also foster innovation, promote local talent, and enhance Africa’s reputation as a hub of technological ingenuity.
The acquisition of digital skills is not just a choice but a necessity for Ghana’s youth. It empowers them to become agents of change, unleashing their potential to innovate, create, and shape the future of the continent. Investing in digital skills training and creating an enabling environment can unlock the tremendous talent and potential that exists within Ghana’s youth population.