Report for 2023 Speak Out for Engineering Competition

The third edition of the Speak Out for Engineering heat in Ghana took place on 18 August 2023 at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani.

As part of the preparations for the event, we embarked on a media tour at Greena 95.9 FM to publicise the event to the university community. During our interaction with the host, we spoke about the benefits of becoming an IMechE member and how the SOfE event will positively impact both the participants and attendees. Also, detailed information of what the competition entails and an application form for interested members to fill was shared across various social media platforms.

13 applications were received and subjected to scrutiny after which 10 topics were approved and worthy to present. The program commenced with the Chair giving a description of IMechE-UENR chapter, it was then followed up by an opening address from the chairman for the event Dr. Gilbert Ayine Akolgo, the Academic Liaison officer for IMechE-UENR. Mr. Joseph Owusu, a lecturer from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mr. Victor Buabeng Danquah, CEO of Asah Maker Space and Dr. Ebenezer Nyarko Kumi, an associate member of IMechE and a lecturer of the department of Mechanical Engineering were the panel of judges for the event.

Below are the names of the selected applicants and the respective topics they presented on; each contestant was allocated 15 minutes for their pitch with a warning bell two minutes prior to the end point. This was followed by a ten-minute question and answer session. 

1. Richard Mensah offering BSc. Mechanical Engineering presented on Salinity gradient power.
2. Yakubu Abdul Kadir offering BSc. Mechanical Engineering presented on Tackling Climate change in Africa.
3. Barnabas Ayabiga offering BSc. Electrical and Electronics Engineering presented on Realtime power quality monitoring system.
4. Miss Amesi Suleiman Khadija offering BSc. Civil Engineering presented on Domestic sewage management.
5. Bonsu Osei Agyapong offering BSc. Petroleum Engineering presented on Revolutionizing Sustainable Mobility: Integrating Renewable Energy Solutions in Transportation.
6. Miss Theodosia Awinimi Apibil offering BSc. Electrical and Electronics Engineering presented on Drone for transporting goods.
7. Antwi Agyei Christian offering BSc. Mechanical Engineering presented on Palm tree innovation.
8. Atampugre Martin BSc Mechanical Engineering presented on Aquaponics.
9. Kissiwaa Akua Psalmet BSc Mechanical Engineering presented on Plastic Building Blocks.
10. Yeboah Clementina offering BSc Electrical and Electronics Engineering presented on converting sea waves into electricity.

The judges were impressed by all the participants and acknowledged their depth of knowledge and communication skills. The judges deliberated on the marks and finally came to a consensus. Mr. Joseph Owusu, one of the judges addressed the contestants and the audience acknowledging and encouraging all members to build their communication skills and do further research on their topics.  He then went on to declare the winners for the competition. The 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up were Atampugre Martin and Barnabas Ayabiga respectively. Ms. Amesi Suleiman Khadija who presented on Domestic sewage management emerged as the winner for the 2023 SOfE competition. The event concluded with the distribution of respective citations to the ALO and judges and the closing remarks from the Events Coordinator, Mr. Byran Attobrah Afriyie.