In a world where innovation and talent know no age, Kelvin Wiredu Frimpong, a 17-year-old from Ghana, stands out as a remarkable young visionary on a mission to change the world through his inventive abilities.

From a humble home in Ghana, Frimpong envisions a future where his talent, skills and ingenuity can address everyday problems related to electricity usage in households. His journey is a testament to the power of determination, resourcefulness and a boundless passion for creating solutions.

Born into a family of five, Frimpong is the second of four boys and a girl. They live with their mother in a modest setting in Ghana. His story unfolds in a way that many can relate to – a young individual with dreams far beyond the horizon of his immediate circumstances.

Frimpong embarked on his educational journey at the Tema Technical Institute, a pivotal step in his life that would eventually shape his aspirations. He completed his education in 2022, having studied Electronics Engineering at the technical school. However, his journey into the world of innovation and invention did not follow the conventional path.

Initially, Frimpong dreamt of becoming a football star, which led him to Kumasi. Unfortunately, life threw him a curveball, forcing him to return to Accra to address certain challenges. In the face of these obstacles, he needed to find a way to support himself financially.

From an early age, Frimpong displayed a penchant for tinkering and experimenting with electrical and electronic devices. He would often disassemble household appliances and, through a combination of curiosity and resourcefulness, put them back together. It was this innate fascination with all things electric that laid the foundation for his journey into innovation.

At first, Frimpong aimed to build a sensor switch, but due to a lack of resources, he pivoted to create a sound-activated switch. This ingenious invention allows him to control electric bulbs with a simple hand clap. The inspiration for the sound switch arose from the abundance of noise in his neighborhood. Frimpong is adept at identifying everyday problems within his community and setting out to devise creative solutions.

His journey began as a childhood hobby, where he constructed items like toy cars. He would purchase various components, assemble them, and then programme them onto a board. However, his main challenge lies in sourcing the right parts and components for his projects, which often requires him to allocate his personal funds to acquire them.

Frimpong's dream is to have his own workshop where he can turn his numerous ideas and projects into reality. One of his groundbreaking projects involves developing an emergency signal system, which could prove invaluable in situations such as car breakdowns along remote highways. This system would swiftly alert emergency service providers, including mechanics, the police, fire services, ambulance crews, and in extreme cases, even summon the fire service. He is also exploring the possibility of designing a signal system to alert drivers to pedestrians crossing the road, enhancing road safety.

Despite his desire to return to school and further his education, Frimpong has temporarily shelved this dream due to financial constraints. His current project involving sound-activated and sensor switches holds the promise of helping households and businesses reduce their electricity consumption, a significant step towards lowering Ghana's carbon footprint.

In the person of Kelvin Wiredu Frimpong, we see an emerging talent with the potential to bring about transformative change. His journey is not just a testament to his ingenuity but also a reminder that the world is filled with young individuals who, with the right support and resources, can create innovations that shape a brighter future for us all. It is therefore hoped that Frimpong receives the right support and guidance as his innovations holds promise of having positive impact on lives and the environment.

This article is written in support of Frimpong’s work as a project by a team of final year Development Communication students of the African University College of Communication (AUCC).