Ghana Digital Centres Limited has recorded a notable achievement as one of its supported talents Bubune Biana Bottozah, secured second place at the prestigious Ms. Geek Africa 2025 competition. The electrical and electronics engineering graduate from the University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa triumphed over 11 other brilliant young women representing nations across the continent, with Kenya taking first place and Cameroon securing third position. The competition began in Kigali, Rwanda, and culminated in the final showcase in Conakry, Guinea.
Bubune, who founded and runs the Eureka STEM Club in mining communities, brought a deeply personal project to the competition: using technology to combat illegal mining in Ghana. Her authentic connection to the problem she was solving set her apart from the start.
“At Ghana Digital Centres Limited, we are committed to creating opportunities for young women to excel in STEM and technology fields,” said Christine Ansong Esq., Deputy CEO of GDCL. “Supporting talents like Bubune is at the heart of our mission. When we invest in young women and provide them with platforms to showcase their innovations, we’re not just building individual careers, we’re positioning Ghana as a hub for technological excellence in Africa.”
The competition drew participants from Benin, Chad, Madagascar, The Gambia, Guinea, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, and other African nations, each presenting innovative technology-driven solutions to continental challenges. For Bubune, it was more than a competition. “I saw it as a platform to educate people about illegal mining and how tech can be used,” she explained. “Mine was living my problem, so I think I had an emotional attachment. I made it a point to make everyone a part of my problem, and I kept reading and reading and, more importantly, asking questions to get other perspectives.”
Her approach combined technical expertise with compelling storytelling, a strategy that resonated with judges. “There was storytelling in my pitches, and I was curious to ask questions. At one point, I even asked a judge some questions,” she recalled. She identified curiosity, business-mindedness, long-term commitment, social impact, and storytelling as the qualities that distinguished successful competitors.
The competition also tested her adaptability. Working with Estelle from Benin, who spoke only French, Bubune had to draw on basic French language skills to collaborate effectively. “When I had to work with a contestant who spoke only French and I had to gather all the basic French I know to make it work, it was fun and challenging at the same time,” she said. The two formed an enduring friendship despite the language barrier. “She doesn’t speak English, and I don’t speak French, but we are always communicating. It’s funny.”
Perhaps the most profound transformation came in her confidence. “I can pitch and get my point across more accurately now. I’m no longer timid, because that was a huge deal-breaker for me,” Bubune reflected. “Seeing young girls like me all trying to achieve the same thing made it easier to grow. More importantly, I’m determined to share my knowledge with others and work with others.”
Through the Eureka STEM Club, Bubune conducts hands-on activities in robotics, basic electronics, and renewable energy experiments whilst mentoring young people in mining communities. Her JHS BECE prep programme provides junior high students with practical demonstrations and subject review. “Many of them don’t get enough practical STEM exposure in their schools, so this really helps,” she noted.
Her STEM journey began at UMAT through the AAENICS Robotics Club, where she connected with peers who shared her passion for electrical and electronics engineering. That foundation, strengthened by GDCL’s support, enabled her continental success.
“I was grateful for the recognition, and all the work hadn’t been in vain,” she said of her achievement.
Looking ahead, Bubune plans to pursue a master’s degree in Mechatronics at Ashesi University whilst expanding her STEM club’s reach. “I’ll use my title to advocate against illegal mining and to push STEM education in public schools. We want to expand our BECE prep programme so JHS students in underserved communities get structured support in Science, Maths, and ICT, mock tests, and mentorship.”
Her message to aspiring young women in STEM is clear and compelling. “Go for it. Apply early, reach out to people already there for guidance, and you are good to go. Even if you are not 100 percent ready, still apply, and more importantly, don’t say no to yourself before others do.” This philosophy, drawn from a film she once watched, has guided her journey from Tarkwa to continental stages in Kigali and Conakry, from timid student to confident advocate.
