When Shadrack Atta Kesse and his colleague were asked to design a gari processing plant prototype during their undergraduate studies at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), they didn’t know it would spark the creation of STANDCRAFT Designs—a venture dedicated to turning ideas into real, working solutions. Through STANDCRAFT Designs, Kesse has assisted on many projects. He supported some UMaT’s Mechanical Engineering Department students in designing a self-cleaning solar panel system that improves energy efficiency. Similarly, he helped design cost-efficient conveyor belt modifications using recycled materials for one of Ghana’s mining firms. “Some of the design criteria were to cut costs, reduce noise, and make the system easier to maintain,” he explained. “We worked with a graduate trainee to redesign and simulate the system, and it was exciting to see how even small improvements could make a big difference.”

Now, as part of the Class of 2027 for Ashesi’s Master’s in Mechatronic Engineering program, Kesse is ready to build on that foundation to create innovations. Kesse sees the Fourth Industrial Revolution as both a challenge and an opportunity, and he wants to contribute to the continent’s development by leveraging the elements that define this era. “We are in an era characterized by robotics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, biotechnology, and more,” he explained. “I desire to gain deeper expertise to contribute to this revolution to build a better society.”

Kesse’s undergraduate thesis focused on a multi-purpose agricultural grain seeding and packaging machine, and he intends to keep building in this direction. “Ghana’s economy rests on agriculture,” he noted. “If we pay more attention to it, it can help our GDP grow and transform the nation. That’s why I intend to channel my innovations toward agriculture.”

At Ashesi, Kesse is eager to work on several agricultural innovations. What excites him most about Ashesi is its ecosystem of support for innovators. “At Ashesi, ideas don’t just stay on paper; there are resources, mentors, and financial support to help bring them to life,” he said. “This inspires me to dream bigger for STANDCRAFT Designs and for collaborations that will create top-notch agricultural innovations for Ghana and Africa.”