One Gold, One Silver: Team Ghana shines at International Greenwich Olympiad in London

Published 2 days ago• 2 minute read

The annual event featured 322 projects across disciplines such as science, engineering, and the arts

Team Ghana has made an impressive mark at the 2025 International Greenwich Olympiad (IGO), held at Queen Mary University in London, clinching one silver and one bronze medal.

Representing the country on the global stage, students from Galaxy International School showcased innovations in engineering and visual arts, standing out among more than 520 participants from 52 countries.

The annual event featured 322 projects across disciplines such as science, engineering, and the arts, offering a platform for young minds to address global challenges through creativity and innovation.

In the Engineering category, students Arnold Edem Pardie and Ahmet Yousuf Balci presented an AI-based Smart Dustbin designed to identify and sort over 100 types of waste.

Built using YOLOv5 machine learning technology and Arduino-controlled hardware, the project addressed poor waste disposal habits within their school community.

According to the team, a student survey revealed that while 80% of their peers used plastic regularly, only half disposed of it properly. A reward system improved recycling efforts to 85%, shaping their practical and data-driven approach.

Their project earned a Silver Medal and was lauded for its potential impact on waste management and sustainability.

In the Art category, Year 10 student Mataya Nana Adwoa Aseda Opoku created “Let Them Live,” a visual protest against elephant poaching in Africa.

Painted on a bamboo canvas, the piece symbolized both nature’s vulnerability and resilience, drawing attention to the ecological effects of poaching.

The artwork stood out for its powerful environmental message and innovative presentation, earning Mataya a Bronze Medal amidst a competitive field of global entries.

Beyond the competition, Team Ghana participated in cultural exchange activities, visiting iconic British landmarks such as the London Eye, the British Museum, and Oxford University.

At the Olympiad’s Cultural Night, the team proudly showcased Ghanaian traditions through a stage performance and the sharing of handmade gifts, strengthening international camaraderie.