In a move that will see developers come up with web or mobile applications to solve local problems such as sanitation, access to information and water supply tracking, the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) in partnership with UNICEF Ghana have launched a three-day competition to come up new technologies and win GHC 5,000, GHC 2,500 and GHC 1,000 for first, second and third prize respectively.
The event, which went live today January 15th had the participants begin developing their ideas into ready for use applications.
The apps are expected to serve remote communities in Ghana and also nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship among the youth.
Ekua Odoom, Managing Director – MEST said,“MEST is dedicated to supporting young and bright Africans to start their own software companies to create wealth and jobs in Africa. Our goal is that by setting this pace we can inspire generations that follow to achieve greatness in the continent.”
According to MEST, over 100 of Ghana’s brightest tech entrepreneurs were expected to join the competition. Established in Ghana in 2008, MEST gives training, seed investments and mentoring to upcoming tech entrepreneurs in the country through a fully sponsored two year intensive incubation.
MEST’s partnership with UNICEF Ghana will help it pursue its vision of touching the continent in a phenomenal way- by helping find innovative technologies to serve the hard-to-reach in Ghana through this hackathon. UNICEF also believes that new technologies are needed to serve the hardest to reach communities in Ghana.
UNICEF Ghana Country Representative Susan Namondo Ngongi said this partnership will bring different sets of skills, viewpoints and influence to the table.
