Go-Getters: Samuel Aboagye, a Ghanaian Mechatronic Engineer in the Making
The typical Ghanaian teen doesn’t make it a day’s objective to construct mechatronic devices. Well, the opportunities don’t really exist to create an environment that ignites the drive, after all. That notwithstanding, this is the point at which Samuel is happiest.
The Tema-born 17-year old is incredible at creating functional mechatronic devices from the most basic resources in his surroundings — which in our definition, is a Go-Getter. Go-Getters are passionate, enthusiastic people stretching the boundaries of the status quo through social and environmental initiatives that impact Ghanaian communities. They are sources of inspiration that characterize what achievement means in its purest form.
He is a shy boy and a brother to two wonderful girls rooting for him. Science is his true love; yet it comes second to his family, who he cherishes. On days that he’s not absorbed in his inventions you can find him playing football with his friends. He loves the color green, and frankly, we are not surprised because he likes plants.
The hardworking young man aspires to be an innovator running an engineering company that invents things to benefit the needy and creates more employment opportunities for Ghanaians. When asked what motivated him, he responded,
I like to create when I’m not doing anything and my favorite subject has always been Science — I love to read a lot about it. My education has really helped me, because my teacher taught me how power flows in a forward biased motion, so I was able to build an electric motor.
His science instructor assigned him to a group of students and handed them a science tool kit to create anything. Samuel took it upon himself to create a Bluetooth speaker made from water gallons, which was later followed by an electric motorbike — both solar-powered. He was just a final year student in Junior High School when he spent two weeks to building it.
Despite his shyness, you could see him come out of his shell as he spoke about his creations. He took us through how he made his motorcycle and explained how much his daily life and environment influence his choice of materials, such as recyclable plastic or solar panels to capture the abundant energy from the sun.
Collectively, Samuel has made 3 Bluetooth speakers that can connect to 20 radio stations in Accra, an electric motorcycle (also solar-powered), a tricycle, a fan, a vacuum cleaner, and is currently working on making his mini blender. Interestingly, he doesn’t make sketches for his projects; instead, he uses his imagination to visualize the function, look, and materials needed.
His tricycle has a Bluetooth speaker that connects to the radio as well. It includes a phone or tablet holder, side mirrors, and a makeshift glovebox. It has a decent cutlery holder to serve as cup holder or a mini storage and a tablet or phone holder at the dashboard area. It uses a 12V solar panel, 24V battery and takes about 3 hours to charge. If you look closely at his motorcycle, you’d see his headlight is an LED panel he salvaged from a chargeable light.
Regardless of the devices he chooses to build, his care for the environment and people are always significant factors. It was important for him to design his electric motorcycle to accommodate mobility-impaired individuals.
Samuel’s lack of resources has never stopped him from dreaming big. In actuality, it is a fuel that propels him to continue to create. In a bid to make his tricycle solar powered, he had to reallocate the solar panels from his Bluetooth speaker since he didn’t have the means to get new ones. It didn’t work, but we get the feeling that he’ll find a way no matter what.
We are inspired by what he has been able to accomplish and we wish him all the success on his journey to become a phenomenal mechatronic design innovator. With rising talents like Samuel, there is hope for Ghana to be more independent, more sustainable, and well…a better place for us all.
— More photographs of Samuel’s work are shown below.
