Football meets innovation as OMJ SoccerFest '26 lights up Ahwerase

The fourth edition of the OMJ SoccerFest at Ahwerase reaffirmed its status as one of Ghana's most innovative community development festivals by extending its impact beyond football through the highly successful

Organised under the theme, "From The Pitch To The People: Uniting To Build For Progress," the festival transformed the Ahwerase Town Park into a vibrant centre of learning, innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development, drawing thousands of patrons over the three-day event.

OMJ MasterChef SHS challenge inspires future culinary professionals

One of the major highlights of the festival was the maiden OMJ MasterChef SHS Challenge, an inter-school culinary competition designed to promote technical and vocational education, creativity, teamwork and entrepreneurship among young people.

Five Senior High Schools from the Akuapem area competed in an exciting contest that tested their culinary knowledge, food preparation skills, hygiene practices, presentation techniques and innovation.

Participating schools included Presbyterian Senior High Technical School, Aburi, Aburi Girls' Senior High School, Adonten Senior High School, and Diaspora Girls' Senior High School.

Before a distinguished panel of judges, the student chefs prepared impressive dishes using locally available ingredients while demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and exceptional creativity. Their performances underscored the growing importance of technical and vocational education in preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship.

At the end of the competition, Presbyterian Senior High Technical School, Aburi emerged overall champions, with Adonten Senior High School finishing as first runners-up and Aburi Girls' Senior High School taking third place. Diaspora Girls' Senior High School placed fourth.

Several special awards were also presented to recognise excellence in specific areas. Aburi Girls' Senior High School received the Most Innovative Dish Award, Presbyterian Senior High Technical School won the Best Hygiene and Food Safety Award, Adonten Senior High School claimed the Best Presentation (Plating Excellence) Award, while Diaspora Girls' Senior High School earned the Best Teamwork Award.

Akuapem business and innovation fair promotes enterprise

Adding another important dimension to the festival was the Akuapem Business and Innovation Fair, which created a unique platform for education, entrepreneurship, innovation and business networking.

The exhibition attracted participation from more than 21 Basic and Senior High Schools, each showcasing innovative projects, educational programmes, practical demonstrations and creative solutions developed by students and teachers.

The fair also featured a wide range of companies, entrepreneurs, agribusinesses, technology firms, artisans and small and medium-sized enterprises who displayed their products and services while interacting directly with thousands of visitors.

The exhibition provided participating businesses with valuable opportunities to market their brands, introduce new products, expand their customer base and establish strategic partnerships. For students, it became an inspiring learning experience that exposed them to entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and career opportunities beyond the classroom.

Throughout the exhibition grounds, visitors experienced demonstrations in agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, technology, education, health, financial services and creative industries, reflecting the diversity and entrepreneurial potential within the Akuapem area.

The Business and Innovation Fair also encouraged collaboration between educational institutions and industry, reinforcing the importance of linking classroom learning with practical application and job creation.