GhanaWeb recently announced the nominees for the 2025 Edition of its annual GhanaWeb Excellence Awards.
These nominees have been categorised into more than 20 categories.
And as a way of bringing readers to speed on who and who have been nominated, here are brief profiles of some of them.
All of the following have been nominated under the STEM category.
Elsie Effah Kaufmann
Professor Elsie Akosua Biraa Effah Kaufmann (FGA, FBSE, FGhIE, FREng, PE),
born on 7 September 1969 in Accra, Ghana, is a distinguished Ghanaian
academic, biomedical engineer, academic administrator, and television host.
She is widely celebrated for her pioneering contributions to biomedical
engineering education and her commitment to advancing STEM development
in Africa.
An alumna of Aburi Girls’ Senior High School and UWC Atlantic, Prof
Effah Kaufmann furthered her education at the University of Pennsylvania,
where she earned her BSE, MSE, and PhD in Bioengineering.
Her research interests span tissue engineering, biomaterials, and expanding access to quality STEM education in resource-limited settings.
Since August 2022, she has served as the Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, becoming the first woman to hold this prestigious position.
Her leadership continues to inspire innovation, academic excellence, and gender inclusion within engineering and the sciences. Beyond academia, Prof Effah Kaufmann is a household name in Ghana as the long-standing Quiz Mistress of the National Science and Maths Quiz, a role she has held since 2006.
Through this platform, she has mentored and motivated thousands of young Ghanaians to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
In 2025, she was inducted as the first Ghanaian International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a historic recognition of her outstanding impact in engineering and education.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions to STEM education and engineering in Ghana and beyond, Prof Elsie Effah Kaufmann has been nominated for the GhanaWeb Excellence Awards 2025 in the STEM Category — a testament to her enduring influence, trailblazing leadership, and dedication to empowering the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Nana Ama Browne Klutse
Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse is a distinguished Ghanaian climate scientist,
educator, and research leader dedicated to advancing climate science, meteorology, and environmental sustainability in Africa. She is widely recognised for her contributions to climate research, policy engagement, and
capacity building within the scientific community.
At the University of Ghana, she teaches a range of Physics and Climate Science courses, including Electricity and Magnetism, Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Meteorology, Climate Change and Society, Climate Change Modelling, and Research
Methods.
Through her teaching, she has mentored and trained numerous students, equipping them with the analytical and scientific skills needed to address pressing climate challenges.
Professor Klutse is known for her work in climate variability, climate change impacts, and regional climate modelling, particularly within the West African context. Her research contributes significantly to understanding climate systems and supporting evidence-based decision-making for sustainable development.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to climate science, research, and STEM education, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse has received nominations at the GhanaWeb Excellence Awards, highlighting her impact in the STEM and climate science space. Her nomination reflects her commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and national development through research and education.
Ethel Delali Cofie
Ethel Delali Cofie is a Ghanaian entrepreneur, IT professional, and technology
consultant recognized for her leadership in Africa’s digital transformation
space. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Edel Technology
Consulting, a firm focused on delivering innovative technology solutions and
business transformation services across the continent.
She is also a founding member of Women in Tech Africa, an initiative
dedicated to empowering women and girls in technology through mentorship,
skills development, and advocacy.
Through her work, she has championed digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, and female representation in the tech industry. In recognition of her impact in technology and innovation, Ethel Delali Cofie has been nominated for the GhanaWeb Excellence Awards in the STEM/Technology category, celebrating her contributions to ICT development, women’s empowerment, and digital transformation in Ghana and across Africa.
Ato Ulzen-Appiah
Ato Ulzen-Appiah (born 31 December 1983 in Syracuse, New York, United
States) is a Ghanaian social entrepreneur, civil engineer, consultant, blogger,
and youth mentor dedicated to driving civic engagement and youth empowerment in Ghana. He is the Director of the GhanaThink Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to inspiring and mobilizing young Ghanaians to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Under his leadership, GhanaThink Foundation has spearheaded impactful initiatives such as Barcamp Ghana, Junior Camp Ghana, the Ghana Volunteer Program (National Volunteer Day), and Komseko — programs designed to encourage
volunteerism, skills development, networking, and youth-led action across the
country.
Ato is an alumnus of PRESEC Legon and furthered his education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University. Professionally trained as a civil engineer, he combines technical expertise with social innovation to create sustainable impact.In 2018, he was named African Male Youth of the Year in recognition of his influence and dedication to youth development.
Beyond his professional work, Ato is an ardent social media advocate who actively mentors and supports young people in leadership, entrepreneurship, and civic responsibility.
In recognition of his contributions to youth empowerment, social innovation, and national development, Ato Ulzen- Appiah has been nominated for the GhanaWeb Excellence Awards, celebrating his impact in leadership and community development.
Kofi Genfi
Kofi Genfi (born 1993/1994) is a Ghanaian entrepreneur and business executive recognised for his role in advancing digital commerce and financial
technology solutions in emerging markets.
He is the co-founder of Mazzuma, a digital payments platform that facilitates seamless mobile money and online transactions, helping businesses and individuals access secure and efficient financial services. He is also the co-founder of Utopia Technologies,a technology-driven company focused on providing innovative digital solutions to support commerce and enterprise growth across Africa.
Through his ventures, Kofi Genfi has contributed significantly to fintech innovation, digital transformation, and financial inclusion in Ghana and beyond. His leadership in the tech ecosystem continues to position him as one of the young entrepreneurs shaping Africa’s digital economy.
In recognition of his impact in technology, entrepreneurship, and digital finance, Kofi Genfi has been nominated for the GhanaWeb Excellence Awards in the STEM/Technology category, celebrating his contributions to innovation and business development in Ghana.
Source:
www.ghanaweb.com