Sowing change: How Sakafia Islamic Senior High School is cultivating a sustainable future through aquaponics

In the heart of Ayigya, a vibrant suburb of Kumasi, Sakafia Islamic Senior High School stands as a beacon of innovation and faith-driven purpose. Es­tablished in 2003 and transitioned into a public institution in 2013, Sakafia is guided by a mission to nurture the physical, mental, and spiritual development of students. The school instills strong moral values, devotion to Allah, and a deep sense of service to humanity.

That mission took a bold new di­rection when students and teachers collaborated on a project that would thrust the school into international limelight. In 2024, Sakafia won the prestigious Zayed Sustainability Prize a global honor recognizing groundbreaking efforts in sustain­able development. The event was held in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

At the heart of this achievement was an innovative, student-led aqua­ponics system designed to tackle food insecurity in their community.

Aquaponics the integration of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydro­ponics (growing plants without soil)  provides a powerful, eco-friend­ly method of producing food. In this system, nutrient-rich waste from fish fertilises plants, which in turn purify the water before it is re­circulated to the fish tanks. It is a closed-loop process that uses mini­mal water, requires no chemical fer­tilizers, and produces both protein and vegetables sustainably.

“Our motivation came from wit­nessing firsthand the high cost of fresh food and the daily challenges of food insecurity,” said Mr Munta­la Mohammed, Project Coordina­tor, Sakafia Islamic Senior High School.

“Our students wanted to create a solution that was innovative, prac­tical, and based right here in their school. Aquaponics offered all that and more,” he quipped.

What began as an academic ex­ploration quickly grew into a trans­formative project. With support from dedicated teachers and driven by student creativity, the aquapon­ics system blossomed. Today, it is not only a reliable source of fresh fish and vegetables but also a living laboratory for science, agriculture, and sustainability education.

The recognition that came with winning the US $150,000 Zayed Sustainability Prize marked a turn­ing point. More than just an ac­colade, the award provides vital financial resources to expand the project’s reach and deepen its im­pact. “This achievement is deeply personal,” the project coordinator shared. “It affirms our belief that even under-resourced schools can lead innovation in sustainability. It reflects our vision of empowering students to think critically and act responsibly.”

The prize funds will allow Sakafia to integrate the aquaponics system into its core curriculum, providing hands-on learning for approxi­mately 50 students each year. These students will not only gain valuable skills in sustainable farming but will also become ambassadors of change within their communities. The expanded project is expected to benefit over 1,000 people through increased access to fresh produce and targeted training workshops for local farmers and families.

The environmental benefits are equally significant. By using less water and avoiding chemical inputs, the project promotes ecological re­sponsibility in a region increasing­ly affected by climate change. The school has also prioritised commu­nity engagement, turning its campus into a hub for sustainable farm­ing education and environmental awareness.

Looking ahead, Sakafia has am­bitious plans to grow the initiative. The school is exploring the integra­tion of solar energy to power the system and seeking partnerships with organisations like the Agri­cultural Development Bank, the Mastercard Foundation, and in­ternational high schools to foster student exchange and knowledge sharing.

They are also in discussions with Ghana’s Ministries of Environ­ment, Agriculture, and Education to align the project with national goals such as the “Feed Ghana” policy.

“This is more than just a school project,” Mr Mohammed empha­sized. “It’s a model of what’s pos­sible when education, innovation, and community come together. We want to show that even small ac­tions can drive large-scale impact.”

Sakafia’s sustainability ethos ex­tends beyond aquaponics. The school integrates real-world envi­ronmental challenges — such as poor sanitation and waste man­agement — into its curriculum, encouraging students to devise practical solutions. Supported by the Zongo Development Fund and spotlighted in national competi­tions like the Science and Maths Quiz, Sakafia continues to cement its role as a centre of academic ex­cellence and social innovation.

To other educators, Sakafia of­fers a simple but powerful message: start with what you have. “Focus on real-life issues that students can relate to. When students see that their actions have a direct, positive impact, they become passionate changemakers.”

As Sakafia Islamic Senior High School looks to the future, its com­mitment remains grounded in faith, education, and sustainability. With fish swimming in tanks, vegeta­bles thriving in water, and students dreaming of a greener tomorrow, this school in Ayigya is proving that with the right tools and a clear vision, real change can indeed be grown  one plant, one fish, and one student at a time.

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