Student Team Wins Top Innovation Prize at Tɛkyerɛma Pa Hackathon for AI Solution Supporting Speech Impairments

The grand finale of the Tɛkyerɛma Pa Hackathon celebrated innovation, inclusivity and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in tackling communication barriers faced by individuals with speech impairments. 

The event, held under the Tɛkyerɛma Pa Project, a partnership between the University of Ghana and University College London as part of the AT2030 programme funded by UKAid brought together students, researchers, technologists and accessibility advocates from across the country.

After a competitive showcase of cutting-edge prototypes, Kasa Noma, a student group from the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), emerged winners, walking away with the top prize of $2,500 and souvenirs. Their innovation impressed judges with its promise to support inclusive communication in local languages. Whisperwave, a multidisciplinary industry team, placed second with $1,500, while Twilight from the University of Ghana came third, winning $1,000 and souvenirs.

Other competing teams included Kasayie from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and YADAH from the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, commended the initiative, describing it as a reflection of UG’s commitment to inclusive, high-impact research that addresses real-world challenges such as stigma and access to assistive technologies.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo

Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, lauded the AI prototypes as “restorative technologies” that uphold the right to be heard and included in an increasingly digital society. He donated GHS 20,000 on behalf of the government to support the top three teams.

Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George
Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George

Prof. Isaac Wiafe, Principal Investigator of the Tɛkyerɛma Pa Project, emphasised the core aim of developing accessible speech technologies using Akan Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) models to enable persons with speech impairments to communicate in their native languages.

Adding to the event’s significance, Prof. Ebenezer Owusu, Head of the Department of Computer Science, highlighted the Department’s expanding work in AI, cybersecurity and inclusive technology innovation.

The hackathon builds on several ongoing initiatives, including UGSpeechdata, Google’s Project Euphonia and the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s assistive tech programmes, all geared toward bridging communication gaps and promoting digital inclusion.

Congratulations to all participating teams for their creativity, collaboration and commitment to change.

More soon

 

Watch a playback of the event