The College of Education, University of Ghana, in partnership with the Regional Institute for Population Studies and the Office for National Statistics, has concluded a four-day SOSCHI Climathon 2024 competition. The event provided an opportunity for six finalist teams to present their Climathon products, with winners selected based on their presentations.

 Prof. Samuel N. A. Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education (8th from left) in a group photo with all the winners

Under the theme "Climate Change - Health Visual Analytics", the competition witnessed the presentations of the competing teams on the impact of climate change on health, children, nutrition and employment. The top three winners received cash prizes of GH₵10,000, GH₵7,000, and GH₵5,000 respectively. Team Health Connect was the overall winner, followed by Climate Crusaders and Team Insight.

Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana

Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana and Chairperson for the occasion, expressed her delight at the success of the programme in bringing together bright minds to address the critical intersection of climate change and health. She stressed the urgency of addressing climate change and its impacts.

A team presenting their work

“Over the past few days, participants have demonstrated an inspiring commitment to using secondary data from online repositories to generate innovative ideas for monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals,” remarked Prof. Amfo. She congratulated all the teams on their achievement of reaching the final stage of the competition and reiterated the University of Ghana's commitment to training future leaders and contributing to important global development goals.

 Prof. Alexander N. O. Dodoo, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority

Prof. Alexander N. O. Dodoo, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority and Guest Speaker for the programme, highlighted the impact of climate change on health and the role of universities in addressing these issues. He stressed the importance of accurate weight and pressure measurements for health, the complexities of climate change, and its effects on health, such as toxic water from flooding.

A student asking a question during the session

One of the participants responding to a question

Prof. Dodoo highlighted the potential for young people to transform society through innovative thinking. He noted that each team emphasised the need for creative solutions to environmental problems. Additionally, he discussed the integration of academia and industry, the use of data for impactful communication, and the importance of national health information systems for effective policy and governance. Prof. Dodoo assured the University of Ghana of the Ghana Standards Authority's readiness to assist the University in obtaining the necessary approvals to facilitate the entry of innovative products from its researchers and students into the Ghanaian market.

Prof. Samuel N. A. Ardey Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education

Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education, University of Ghana and convener of the SOSCHI Project Steering Committee, stressed the importance of collaboration, innovation and inspiration in addressing the complex challenges of climate change on health. He highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives, skills, and creativity in developing actionable solutions.

Prof. Codjoe presenting a cheque to Team Health Connect overall winners of the competition

Professor Codjoe encouraged participants to collaborate and share ideas, noting that some of the best solutions come from unexpected collaborations. He advised participants to think locally and act globally, ensuring that the solutions developed are relevant to the local contexts but have a global impact. He encouraged participants to push the boundaries of what’s possible and take courageous actions for the future of the planet.

A mentor presenting a cheque to Climate Crusaders, the first runner-up from the competition

In brief remarks, Prof. Eric Afful-Dadzie, Chairman for the SOSCHI Climathon planning committee, discussed the planning and execution of the programme, which aimed to address the impact of climate change on health through visual analytics. He said the process involved gathering diverse participants, including students and professionals, and reviewing applications to select finalists. Adding that the finalists demonstrated commitment and used computational tools to create innovative, data-driven stories.

Prof. Eric Afful-Dadzie presenting a cheque to Climate Crusaders, the second runner up in the competition

The six finalists, namely Team Insight, Team IX, Team Health Connect, Climate Crusaders, Team Millachie and Team Brocode, showcased their final products through visual analytics. Their presentations highlighted the impact of climate change on various aspects such as health, children, occupational health, and nutrition, among others.

The winning teams pose for a group photo after the competition

Prof Codjoe congratulated all the teams on their transformative ideas. He encouraged the winners to continue working together and assured them of the University's continued support through the College of Education and the Regional Institute for Population Studies, as well as the Office for National Statistics, to guide their future innovative endeavours. The programme was well attended by students, staff and other external partners.