The Artificial Intelligence For Sustainable Development (AI4SD) Innovation Challenge has entered a dynamic new phase with the launch of Thon Month, a three-week innovation sprint aimed at equipping participants with the tools and platform to build impactful, AI-driven solutions.
The Opening Ceremony and Orientation took place on Monday, June 2, under the theme “Ignite, Innovate, Impact.”
This new phase follows a series of successful training sessions in entrepreneurship and Artificial Intelligence, setting the stage for more hands on collaboration and solution development.
17 teams, made up of 51 participants, are taking part in the AI4SD innovation and startup training programme, which is being funded by the French Embassy in Ghana and supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
Speaking at the ceremony, Miss Mina Tackie, a member of the AI4SD Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team, explained that Thon Month will run from June 2 to June 20 and will guide teams through foundational learning, skill-building, and final project readiness.
Miss Mina Tackie, a member of the AI4SD Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team
The AI4SD, AI in Innovation and Entrepreneurship theme, led by Prof. Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwa, encouraged participants to go beyond individual efforts and embrace teamwork.
He noted that the challenge is not just about completing a project, but about building connections, sharing skills, and finding synergy across teams.
Prof. Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwa, AI in Innovation and Entrepreneurship theme lead
“What we’re trying to do is get you to stand up as a team and figure out what you can achieve together. It’s not only about your project, it’s about the knowledge and relationships that can help you carry your ideas forward, even after this programme ends,” Prof. Mensah-Darkwa said.
“Our goal is to challenge you to come together as a team and discover what you’re truly capable of achieving collaboratively. This experience isn’t just about completing a project — it’s about building the knowledge, networks, and relationships that will empower you to continue developing your ideas long after this programme ends,” said Prof. Mensah-Darkwa.
A central part of Thon Month is a new unified challenge based on the SignTalk Project, an innovation to improve communication between healthcare professionals and individuals who are hard of hearing.
Prof. Mensah-Darkwa explained that in many consulting rooms across Ghana, patients with hearing or speech impairments are often misdiagnosed due to a lack of effective communication tools.
Prof. Kwadwo Mensah-Darkwa addressing the participants
The SignTalk solution envisions an AI-powered interface that interprets sign language into spoken words, enabling clear, real time conversations between doctors and patients.
“This solves a huge problem and we want participants to work with the dataset we’re providing and use their creativity and technical skills to develop an innovative solution that can make a real difference,” he said.
Mr. Makafui Bedzra, who doubles as the Innovation Support Officer for AI4SD and the Innovation Manager at the KNUST College of Engineering, urged the teams to stay committed throughout the three weeks challenge, reminding them that team is fully behind their efforts.
Mr. Makafui Bedzra, advising the participants
“We’re here to support you through all the activities
“Work hard and show us what’s possible when young innovators are given the right tools,” he noted.
As Thon Month progresses, AI4SD continues to foster a culture of innovation and purpose driven technology, empowering the next generation of changemakers to imagine, build, and deliver solutions that respond to real world needs.
