Over the past week, Ghana’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sectors have produced compelling stories — from new scholarship programs to environmental health warnings. Below are five key Ghana STEM news items.

1. WiSTEMGh Girls’ Camp Showcases Local Innovations

Source: MyJoyOnline — “WiSTEMGh Girls’ Camp ends with display of innovative STEM projects” MyJoyOnline

The 6th annual Girls’ Camp by Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Ghana (WiSTEMGh) concluded in Kumasi. Over 300 senior high school girls from 30 schools across five regions gathered to design and present STEM-based prototypes. Projects included water filtration units, biodegradable plastics, mosquito traps, solar-powered phone chargers, and novel footwear. MyJoyOnline

This is significant because It nurtures young women’s interest in STEM by giving them hands-on experience and peer support, helping bridge gender gaps in science and tech. Additionally, the projects are grounded in everyday challenges (water quality, power, health), showing that STEM is relevant to communities. Camps like these help build a pipeline of future women scientists and engineers — visible progress under the umbrella of Ghana STEM news.

2. Women in Chemistry Network Launches Mentorship Initiatives

Source: MyJoyOnline — “Women in Chemistry Network launches new initiatives to promote STEM interests” MyJoyOnline

The Women in Chemistry Network (WICN) unveiled two new flagship initiatives: the Women in Chemical Sciences Mentorship Programme (WICSMEP) and Women in Chemistry Network, Male Champions (WICNMC). They inaugurated mentors, mentees, and “male champions” to actively support and promote women’s participation in chemistry disciplines. MyJoyOnline

This is significant because STEM fields often suffer from “leaky pipelines” where girls drop out at various stages; structured mentorship provides support, guidance, and role models. Additionally, engaging male allies (“male champions”) helps shift culture, not just empower individuals. As mentorship influences retention and career progression, this initiative could strengthen Ghana’s chemical science community over time.

3. Lancaster University Ghana Accelerates AI & Inclusion Drive

Source: Ghana News Agency — “Students urged to harness emerging technologies for future careers” GNA

Lancaster University Ghana (LUG) recently made several announcements:

• Launch of a fully funded scholarship for outstanding female STEM students. News Ghana+2DailyGuide Network+2
• Creation of an Emerging Technologies Centre emphasizing robotics, AI education, and hands-on exposure. DailyGuide Network+1
• Calls urging students to embrace AI, coding, and robotics as critical tools for future careers. GNA

This is significant because it signals institutional commitment to ensuring Ghanaian graduates are not left behind in the global AI/tech wave. These scholarships (especially gender-targeted) help reduce financial barriers and encourage diversity in STEM fields. This is a strong example of how local universities are adapting to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

4. New Environment Study Warns of Mercury & Arsenic Hazards from Artisanal Mining

Source: Reuters — “Ghana study warns of hazardous toxin levels linked to mining as artisanal gold output soars” Reuters

A joint study by Ghana’s Environmental Protection Authority and Pure Earth found dangerously high levels of mercury and arsenic in soils, water, crops, and fish in mining areas across six regions. In one hotspot, soil mercury levels averaged 56.4 ppm (well above WHO safety thresholds) and peaked at 1,342 ppm. Arsenic levels reached 10,060 ppm, thousands of times the recommended limit. Reuters

This is significant because the findings have serious public health implications: long-term exposure to mercury and arsenic is linked to neurological damage, kidney failure, cancer, and developmental issues. The impacts extend to agriculture, water safety, and community livelihoods, making this a cross-cutting issue across environment, health, and development domains. Furthermore, it underscores that while STEM-driven economic activity (mining) can bring value, it must be paired with strong regulation, monitoring technologies, and remediation — all areas where local science capacity is essential.

For Ghana STEM news, this story reminds us that science must also identify and manage risks, not just innovations.

5. Localizing Generative AI for Ghana’s Teacher Training

Source: arXiv preprint — “Glocalizing Generative AI in Education for the Global South: The Design Case of 21st Century Teacher Educator AI for Ghana” arXiv

Researchers in Ghana (led by Matthew Nyaaba) have developed and piloted a Ghana-adapted generative AI tool, nicknamed “21st Century Teacher Educator”, to support pre-service teachers. The system draws upon Ghana’s own curriculum, local languages, and culturally relevant examples to make AI pedagogical guidance more accessible and contextually meaningful. arXiv

This is significant because many AI tools are designed for global or Western usage. Localizing them ensures relevance, mitigates biases, and increases acceptance. By supporting teacher training, this tool has the potential to influence how STEM and other subjects are taught (not just learned).

It demonstrates that Ghana can be a contributor (not only a user) to AI innovation — a proud moment in Ghana STEM news. As teacher capacity scales, downstream gains in student learning could be considerable.