Ghana’s scientific and innovation ecosystem reached a historic moment as Dr. Patrick Essien, a Space Physicist, Senior Lecturer, former AIMS Canada Postdoctoral Research Fellow, and Founder of Molex Foundation Africa, received the prestigious Honorary Award for Outstanding Contribution to STEM and Innovation at the Tech Eminence Awards 2025 in Takoradi.
The award, presented by Kampusstyle in collaboration with the Ghana National Union of Technical Students (GNUTS), recognizes Dr. Essien’s exceptional impact on STEM access, youth empowerment, gender inclusion, and technology-driven community transformation across Ghana and the African continent.
In an official communication, the Awards Committee described Dr. Essien’s journey—from his humble beginnings in Nyanfeku Ekroful to becoming one of Ghana’s leading scientific thinkers—as “a remarkable symbol of excellence and resilience.” The Committee noted that his influence continues to empower disadvantaged youth, promote equal opportunity, and ignite innovation among young Africans.
His leadership at Molex Foundation Africa was praised as a force that “breaks barriers, transforms communities, and shapes future leaders.” Hundreds gathered at the Grace Dinner Hall to witness the honouring of a man whose work is redefining possibilities for African children and young innovators.
Delivering a deeply moving acceptance speech, Dr. Essien captivated the audience with a narrative rooted in humility, imagination, and unyielding determination. He recounted how, growing up in a community with limited opportunities, he found purpose in the mysteries of the sky—stars that sparked questions, curiosity, and a lifelong quest for knowledge.
“If opportunity does not reach the child, then we must take opportunity to the child,” he declared, sharing the conviction that inspired the birth of Molex Foundation Africa.
He emphasized that the Foundation was not born out of strategy but necessity—a direct response to the painful reality that brilliance is often overshadowed by lack of mentorship, exposure, and resources. Today, Molex Foundation Africa stands as one of Ghana’s most impactful youth-centered STEM movements, offering training in robotics, coding, space science, electronics, AI, and problem-solving to thousands of learners.
A major highlight of his speech was the transformative success of SHEROES in STEM, one of his most groundbreaking initiatives. The programme was designed to confront the deep-rooted underrepresentation of girls in science and technology. Dr. Essien explained that the initiative was born out of urgency, not convenience: girls were not lagging because they lacked ability, but because society had not positioned them where they could thrive.
“African girls do not need saving; they need access,” he declared, receiving thunderous applause.
He shared inspiring stories from the programme’s launch in April 2024—girls who had never touched robotics equipment building functional systems; girls writing their first lines of code; others designing prototypes to solve community challenges; and many discovering that they too belonged in spaces of innovation.
“SHEROES in STEM is a revolution,” he proclaimed, insisting that empowering girls is not charity but a national development strategy.
Dr. Essien further announced a bold vision to host the SHEROES in STEM Cohort 3 in Northern Ghana in 2026, where he plans to train hundreds of girls in STEM and TVET to bridge the regional access gap and spark a new wave of female-led innovation.
Throughout his remarks, he urged young people across Ghana to embrace technology and innovation as indispensable tools for future leadership. He challenged them to choose consistency over applause, growth over comfort, and resilience over fear.
“The world does not belong to the strongest; it belongs to the most consistent… Greatness is never born in applause. It is born in persistence,” he emphasised.
To young girls across the country, he delivered one of the night’s most powerful messages:
“You do not need permission to be brilliant. The world needs your voice.”
Dr. Essien dedicated the award to the late Prof. Abeiku Brew-Hammond—his godfather, mentor, and guiding light—whose mantra “always stay FOCUS” continues to inspire his mission. He extended appreciation to the dedicated team and volunteers of Molex Foundation Africa, describing them as “a heartbeat—the rhythm of hope and the lifeline of many dreams.”
He also acknowledged Ing. Dr. Stephen Turkson and Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse for their mentorship, wisdom, and unwavering advocacy for TVET and STEM as catalysts for national growth.
The Tech Eminence Awards Committee commended Dr. Essien for his groundbreaking work in broadening STEM access and inspiring a new generation of innovators. They stated that his presence adds immense value to Ghana’s ongoing national conversation on youth development and technological advancement.
As applause filled the hall, one truth became clear: this award is not just a celebration of a man, but a recognition of a movement—an educator, scientist, and social entrepreneur shaping the future of Ghana through the power of science and innovation.
Dr. Essien ended with a message that now echoes across the country:
“The future is not an accident; it is an assignment—and that assignment belongs to us. Let us rise. Let us build. Let us innovate. Let us dream unapologetically.”
In celebrating Dr. Patrick Essien, Ghana celebrates hope, innovation, and the unwavering brilliance of its youth.
