KNUST Students Win Bronze at SDG Olympiad in Geneva
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has earned international recognition at the SDG Olympiad held in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 10 to 13, 2025, as two of its students secured a bronze medal for an innovative, sustainability-driven business solution aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The award-winning students are Gilbert Yaw Sonny of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Herbal Medicine, and Dauda Nafisa of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Communication and Language Science. Competing among student-led teams from universities across the globe, the duo distinguished themselves with a project that combines environmental sustainability with public health impact.
The SDG Olympiad is a global competition that empowers university students to co-create practical solutions to real-world challenges related to the SDGs. Participants collaborate in teams to develop innovative business ideas in partnership with international organisations, with finalists converging at the global awards to present their projects, share knowledge, and explore opportunities to scale their impact.
Speaking on the experience, Gilbert Yaw Sonny explained that they competed as Team Peellnova, a group that emerged from the 2025 KNUST Summer School competition, where participants were challenged to develop ideas addressing climate change and the SDGs. Following their success at the Summer School, the team went on to formalise their innovation by registering Peellnova as a Company Limited, representing KNUST at the international Olympiad.
Team Peellnova’s innovation focuses on the use of organic materials, particularly orange and pineapple peels, combined with other natural ingredients, to produce eco-friendly insect repellents. Their flagship products include mosquito coils and an insecticide spray, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical-based repellents while promoting waste reduction and environmental protection.
At the SDG Olympiad Finals, Team Peellnova presented their business project to an international jury drawn from organisations such as CERN, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the Aga Khan Foundation. The judges commended the team for the originality and practicality of their solution and recommended that they pursue product certification and establish strategic partnerships to enhance the reach and impact of their innovation. The KNUST winning team expressed its profound gratitude to Professor Samuel Asamoah Sakyi, the organizer and facilitator of KNUST Summer School and all the senior members of KNUST for the series of workshops and mentorship during the remarkable journey.
Upon returning to Ghana, the team presented their achievement to the Provost of the KNUST College of Health Sciences, Professor Christian Agyare, who praised their commitment and ingenuity. He encouraged the students to return to their respective faculties to inspire their colleagues to pursue impactful innovations. Professor Agyare further advised the team to continue building their capacity, particularly in financial and legal management, to strengthen their business operations, and pledged the College’s support for their ongoing and future activities.
The achievement highlights KNUST’s strong commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing the University’s reputation as a hub for student-led solutions with global relevance.
