Bolgatanga Technical University wins GH₵20,000 for flood-monitoring system

Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) has emerged as the winner of the 2026 Women in Engineering (WinE) Affair for developing a smart emergency communication and flood-monitoring system. The university’s team outperformed representatives from 19 other institutions to claim the top prize, which included a trophy and a cash award of GH₵20,000. This recognition highlights the institution's commitment to solving critical environmental challenges through technological innovation.

The award-winning system is specifically designed to provide real-time detection and response mechanisms for flooding, a recurring issue in many parts of the country. By integrating high-precision flood-level sensors with GPS technology and an automated alarm system, the device can accurately identify when water levels reach dangerous thresholds. Once these levels are breached, the system automatically transmits alerts to both emergency services and residents in the affected areas, facilitating faster evacuations and more coordinated rescue efforts.

Following their victory, the BTU team expressed their intention to move beyond the competition phase by seeking partnerships with local government authorities and disaster management agencies. The goal is to deploy the smart system in flood-prone communities across Ghana to enhance early warning capabilities. By improving the speed and accuracy of emergency alerts, the team hopes to provide a reliable technological safeguard that protects lives and property during the annual rainy seasons.