Adonten Senior High School (SHS) from Ghana's Eastern Region has emerged as the winner of the 2026 National Business Pitch Competition (NBPC). The competition, organized by Junior Achievement Ghana (JA Ghana), aims to equip young people with entrepreneurial, financial literacy, and innovation skills. Adonten SHS presented "Twist," a proposed business solution that developed therapeutic heat wraps for joints to provide warmth, comfort, and relief from muscle and joint discomfort.
Aburi Girls' SHS, also from the Eastern Region, placed second in the competition, while Archbishop Potter Girls' SHS from the Western Region took third position. Aburi Girls' SHS presented "Savos Tomato," a solution designed to reduce tomato spoilage during transportation and add value to produce. The proposal involved a ventilated, room-temperature transportation van and an artificial intelligence-assisted sorting system.
Archbishop Potter Girls' SHS proposed "Aya Care," a healthcare services application designed to help users locate nearby hospitals and pharmacies. The application also featured an AI-assisted handwriting interpretation system to help users understand doctors' handwritten prescriptions. Other schools that competed in the finals included Keta SHS, Presec Boys, Legon, and St. Peter's SHS.
The winning team from Adonten SHS received GH¢10,000, a two-door refrigerator, and five power banks, as well as the opportunity to represent Ghana at the Regional Company of the Year Competition in Cape Town, South Africa. Aburi Girls' SHS received GH¢7,000 and five power banks, while Archbishop Potter Girls' SHS received GH¢5,000 and five power banks.
The competition is part of JA Ghana's 16-week Company Programme, designed to develop an entrepreneurial mindset among young people. Mr. Edem Amesu-Addor, Executive Director of JA Ghana, said the programme encourages students to identify problems, understand target consumers, and develop solutions that address real needs.
Dr. Michael Wilson, a Computer Engineer and Research Scientist, delivered the keynote address, urging students to view problems in society as opportunities to create businesses, jobs, and value. He challenged the students to move beyond asking who would employ them after school to asking, "Who will I employ? What job can I create? What value can I add?"
The NBPC is the culminating event of JA Ghana's Company Programme, which gives students practical experience in developing and presenting business ideas while receiving feedback from professionals. The 2026 competition was held on the theme, "Augmented Innovation," focusing on improving ideas and solutions through technology, creativity, and collaboration.
Key points
- Adonten SHS won the 2026 National Business Pitch Competition with their proposal "Twist," a therapeutic heat wrap for joints.
- The competition was organized by Junior Achievement Ghana (JA Ghana) as part of their Company Programme.
- The winning team will represent Ghana at the Regional Company of the Year Competition in Cape Town, South Africa.
