The annual competition, which began in 2004 in Singapore and was held in Turkey last year, highlights the importance of technology and science in improving daily lives, using the inventive spirit of young students.

The global robotics competition brought together a record-breaking 91 countries, comprising 594 teams and 1,571 participants.

This year’s theme was “The Future of Robots” which sought to explore the way robotics can help solve global challenges and improve lives.

Ghana fielded a total delegation of 35 people, including students, coaches, parents, and officials from the Ghana Robotics Academy Foundation. The country was represented by seven teams across multiple categories:

• Robo Mission: One team each at the elementary, junior high, and senior high levels
• Future Innovators: Two teams (junior high and senior high)
• Robo Sports: One senior high team
• Future Engineers: One team competing at the advanced, university-level challenge

Each team consisted of two to three students, supported by coaches who were permitted to guide multiple teams.

In the Future Innovators category, Ghanaian students showcased solutions rooted in local challenges:
• The junior high team presented an aquaponics project, integrating robotics to regulate water and nutrient distribution for plant growth, demonstrating how technology can modernise agriculture.
• The senior high team developed a robot designed to clean drainage systems, aimed at reducing flooding caused by choked gutters—an issue affecting many communities in Ghana.

Other categories, such as Robo Mission, Robo Sports, and Future Engineers, involved predefined tasks with “surprise rules” introduced on competition day, requiring teams to rapidly redesign and reprogram their robots under pressure.

Ghana’s delegation was led by Dr. Yaw Okraku-Yirenkyi, National Organiser for WRO and a founding member of the Ghana Robotics Foundation (GRAF), described the experience as “mind-blowing” and transformational for the students.

According to him, Ghana’s overall performance and scores were lower than anticipated. However, he emphasized that the true value of the Olympiad lies beyond rankings.

“This is about exposure, for most of our students, this is their first time at a World Robot Olympiad, and no matter how much you describe it, nothing prepares you for the scale, the infrastructure, and the level of innovation on display.” He explained.

Students encountered cutting-edge designs, advanced robotics projects, international peers, and exhibitions from global technology companies showcasing everything from humanoid robots to drones and supercars.

Dr. Okraku-Yirenkyi noted that many participants realized that ideas they once believed were exceptional did not yet match the global standard. Rather than discouraging them, he said, this realization served as a powerful motivation and learning curve.

“While their performance wasn’t what was envisaged,” he said, “bringing them onto the world stage was invaluable. It opened their eyes to what is possible and what they must work towards.”

Ghana has been participating in the World Robot Olympiad since 2012, and this years’ experience reinforces the importance of continued investment in robotics education and international exposure. Though medals may not have followed the delegation home, Team Ghana returned with something just as important: inspiration, perspective, and a renewed determination to grow.