The 2024 Disability Inclusive Hackathon (DI-Hack), held from October 23 to 25 at the Ghana Civil Aviation Training Academy in Accra, brought together nine talented teams from across Ghana to develop practical and impactful tech solutions for individuals with disabilities.

The event, themed "Leveraging Technology for an Inclusive, Accessible, and Sustainable World," challenged participants to push the boundaries of technological innovation.

Each team, comprised of three participants, including at least one person with a disability, aimed to create solutions that could significantly improve the quality of life for millions of Ghanaians living with disabilities.

Team Codecraft Mavericks emerged as the ultimate winners, captivating judges with their AI-powered assistive technology. This groundbreaking solution, equipped with features like text extraction, object detection, navigation, virtual assistance, and companionship, aims to enhance the independence of visually impaired individuals.

Team HandWave and Soronko were recognised as the first and second runners-up, respectively, for their impressive technological innovations.

Dr. Emefa Priscilla Amenyah Kove, representing the Inclusive Tech Group, emphasised the crucial need for government and non-governmental organisations to support DI-Hack.

"This initiative is vital in fostering innovative solutions to address the unique challenges faced by people with disabilities," she said, highlighting the urgent need for funding to empower winning teams to transform their prototypes into viable commercial ventures.

"By doing so, we can equip disabled communities with the tools and opportunities they need to lead more independent lives, enhance their employability, and contribute to a truly inclusive society," she stated.

Hosted by the Inclusive Tech Group (ITG) and sponsored by Google, PwC, and the IEEE Ghana Section, DI-Hack 2024 has solidified its position as a pivotal platform for collaboration between tech innovators and persons with disabilities. By fostering innovation and empowering individuals, the event continues to drive positive change and shape a more inclusive future for Ghana.