What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is derived from two roots: “hacking,” which means applying creative solutions to address specific problems, and “marathon,” which metaphorically refers to the intensity of a competition. Therefore, a hackathon can be defined as an event where teams come together to work intensively on technology-related projects or to solve specific problems within a set timeframe, usually 48 hours.
Overview of the 2024 Hackathon
The 2024 Hackathon for Technical Universities is being organized by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). The competition is open to students from any discipline and year of study who are interested in participating in the contest to offer innovative, policy-relevant solutions. The hackathon involves teams of up to five members working together over 36 hours to develop a product (such as a data visualization, dashboard, policy paper, poster, or infographic) based primarily on data from the StatsBank, complemented by other relevant sources. Six universities are expected to participate, and the top three winners from each Technical University will compete in a National Hackathon event later in the year. The teams that place first, second, and third will receive awards.
Goals and Objectives of the 2024 Hackathon
•Promote the use of integrated datasets to address complex contemporary challenges.
•Increase awareness of the resourcefulness of the GSS StatsBank among Technical Universities.
•Harness the use of data science and artificial intelligence techniques to deepen engagement with data and statistics.
•Expand the pool of data and statistical resources for national, business, and household policy guidance.
•Sustain partnerships with academic institutions to enhance the utilization of GSS statistical products for research and teaching.
Thematic Areas for Product Development
The themes for the 2024 Hackathon are centered on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mentors are encouraged to guide participants in developing their products based on the following areas:
•Poverty eradication and economic growth (SDG 1 & SDG 8)
•Quality education and access (SDG 4)
•Health and well-being (SDG 3)
•Gender equality (SDG 5)
•Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11)
•Decent work and economic opportunities (SDG 8)
•Reduced inequalities (SDG 10)
•Food security and agriculture (SDG 2)
•Energy access and clean fuels
Who Can Participate in the Launch of the 2024 Hackathon?
The 2024 Hackathon will be launched on 14th August at the Abba Bentil Theater at 10 a.m. During the launch, officials from the GSS will raise awareness about the StatsBank (a data repository) and demonstrate the resourcefulness of the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC). The StatsBank provides academics, researchers, and students with easy access to nationally representative datasets, optimizing the resources invested in data collection. The diversity of data in the GSS StatsBank offers academics and students a rich data repository for project work and paper writing, irrespective of their background.
Internal Prizes
The 2024 Hackathon will last for 36 hours. Participants will be accommodated and fed during the competition. At the national level, the winner, 1st runner-up, and 2nd runner-up will receive Gh₵5,000, Gh₵3,000, and Gh₵2,000, respectively. There will also be consolation prizes and certificates for all participants, mentors, and judges.
Why Should KTU Participate in the Grand Finale of the 2024 Hackathon?
The grand finale of the 2024 Hackathon will be held in Accra, following the selection of the three best teams from six Technical Universities. The GSS, as the national organizer, has secured international sponsorship for the 2024 Hackathon. As a result, in addition to local media coverage, the event is expected to attract international attention. This offers KTU a branding opportunity to elevate its profile before an international audience. The positive impact of this competition will likely enhance KTU’s enrollment in the coming years.