KNUST Photonics Chapter Lights Up Tamale in Celebration of the International Day of Light
The Department of Physics, KNUST, proudly highlights a successful outreach program organized by the KNUST Photonics Student Chapter in Tamale from May 15-16, 2025, in commemoration of this year’s International Day of Light (May 16). The two-day initiative brought together Junior High and Senior High School students from across the Northern Region for an enriching experience centered on optics, photonics, and scientific discovery.
The program opened with inspiring keynote addresses from Prof. Akwasi Acheampong Aning and Dr. Isaac Nkrumah, both lecturers from the Department of Physics, who introduced participants to the fundamental principles of Physics and its vital role in interpreting the natural world.
Following this, Dr. Akyana Britwum and Dr. Donkor, also lecturers in the department and advisors of the KNUST Photonics Student Chapter, delivered insightful presentations on Photonics as a field at the frontier of innovation across industries such as telecommunication, medicine, and manufacturing. They shared the chapter’s mission to foster scientific curiosity among young students and emphasized the importance of celebrating light and its scientific applications.
A major highlight of the event was the hands-on learning sessions. Students participated in interactive experiments and demonstrations designed to reveal the behavior of light, optical phenomena, and real-world photonics applications. These sessions, led by dedicated chapter facilitators, brought abstract scientific concepts to life and deepened the students’ appreciation for STEM.
To further motivate the students, Dr. Isaac Nkrumah returned with a focused session on navigating STEM pathways at the tertiary level. His practical advice and encouragement offered clarity to students aspiring to pursue careers in science and technology.
The Department of Physics commends the KNUST Photonics Student Chapter for this impactful outreach effort and expresses sincere gratitude to all supporting institutions and individuals, including:
• OPTICA and SPIE
• KNUST College of Science
• Ghana Photonics and Optics Laboratory
• Red Clay Studios and SCCA Tamale
• Artist and collaborator Ibrahim Mahama
This outreach initiative reflects the department’s commitment to expanding access to science education, especially in underserved regions, and to inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
We look forward to many more collaborative efforts that bring the transformative power of physics to communities across Ghana.
Posted by: Department of Physics, KNUST
