MTN Ghana has launched a hackathon to encourage Ghanaian students and young innovators to develop artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that address local challenges and promote inclusive access to digital services. The initiative, known as the MTN T3kyer3ma Pa Hackathon and AI Summit 2026, was held at the University of Ghana. The hackathon aims to provide opportunities for students to collaborate, experiment, and develop practical innovations that respond to the continent's needs.
According to Mr. Kwame Menu, Senior Manager for Digital Analytics and Monetisation at MTN Ghana, the hackathon is part of MTN's ambition to lead digital solutions for Africa's progress. He said AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude demonstrate what individuals can achieve through innovation, and Ghanaian students have the potential to develop technologies that could gain similar recognition globally.
The hackathon, named T3kyer3ma Pa, meaning "Good Tongue", reflects the emphasis on communication and accessibility in developing technology solutions. Students from the University of Cape Coast, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and other institutions participated in the event. A major consideration in the competition is inclusion, particularly the development of digital solutions that can be accessed and used by persons with disabilities.
One of the applications being developed by participants enables users to purchase airtime and data through voice commands, allowing persons with visual impairment to request airtime or data using spoken instructions without navigating their mobile phone screens. This technology opens up digital services to more people and enables persons with visual impairment to perform everyday tasks more independently.
MTN will continue engaging teams behind promising innovations after the hackathon through incubation, mentorship, and exposure to industry opportunities. The company will undertake monitoring, evaluation, and learning to assess the progress and practical impact of the solutions. The objective is to help participants transform their prototypes into usable products and services that can improve people's everyday lives.
Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, Deputy Minister of Education, who represented the Minister of Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, said Ghana needs to empower young people to develop technologies rather than remain passive consumers of innovations created elsewhere. He stressed the need to equip learners with critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability skills, as the growing influence of AI on education requires a fundamental shift in how learners are prepared for the future.
Dr. Apaak identified four priorities for preparing Ghana's education system for an AI-driven future: early technological competence, inclusive access, strengthened technical and vocational education, and stronger links between digital skills development and employment. He urged participants to develop solutions that can help teachers identify learning difficulties early, improve access to education in rural communities, and use local language technologies to support learning.
Key points
- MTN Ghana's hackathon aims to encourage young innovators to develop AI solutions that address local challenges and promote inclusive access to digital services.
- The hackathon focuses on developing practical innovations that respond to the continent's needs and promote communication and accessibility in technology solutions.
- The initiative includes incubation, mentorship, and exposure to industry opportunities for teams behind promising innovations.
