On November 21, 2025, the Ghana Photonics and Optics Laboratory, in collaboration with the KNUST Photonics Student Chapter, embarked on a mission to introduce optics and photonics to high schools in Dodowa, Accra, and surrounding communities. Led by the laboratory’s principal investigators, Dr. Akyana Britwum and Dr. Michael K. E. Donkor, the Light Up Ghana outreach initiative sought to expose young learners to the scientific foundations and real-world applications of optics and photonics.

The program aimed to broaden awareness, spark curiosity, and inspire students to consider future academic and professional pathways in photonics and the broader STEM fields. Beyond student engagement, the initiative also equipped teachers with practical resources, demonstrations, and instructional tools that are often unavailable in underserved schools, further strengthening local capacity for sustained science education.

The Light Up Ghana initiative remains a central part of the mission of GPOL as it promises to empower and build a strong foundation for future scientists, engineers, researchers, and innovators through optics and photonics, strengthening the scientific landscape of the Ghana and the West African region.