Science education has undergone significant changes in recent years and Charles Ofori Antipem, a Ghanaian Entrepreneur, Co-founder and CEO of Dext Technology Limited has contributed his quota to this change. He is an inspiring figure who is working to transform science education in Africa by providing students with the tools and resources they need to succeed.
His vision for changing science in the classroom has the potential to impact countless students and drive economic growth and development across the continent.
In an exclusive interview with African Leadership Magazine’s Ghana Correspondent, Janet Abena Quainoo, he gave an in-depth knowledge and understanding of who he is, what he stands for, his challenges and his prospects as an inventor.
MR. CHARLES OFORI ANTIPEM
EXCERPTS
ALM: Understanding your background and experiences is key to identifying how you can contribute to your organization.
We are eager to hear more about your story. So, could you share with us what inspired you to become an inventor, and how you started in this field?
Antipem: My inspiration was my father, he was a science teacher and his passion for science bore in me the desire to be an inventor. Also, his support and belief in my dreams always made him invest the little he had to give me exposure to technology and science. His constant push and drive in investing in my dreams helped me develop a sense of curiosity that has stayed and helped me hunger for problem-solving and innovation.
ALM: Being an inventor, especially at a young age, can be challenging. From coming up with innovative ideas to securing funding, navigating the patent process, and so much more, there are numerous obstacles to overcome. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a young inventor, and how have you overcome them?
Antipem: Access to funds and building the right team has been my greatest challenge. Also, challenges in personal development, drive, and encouragement to make it. Developing the mindset required to succeed in our environment can be difficult and this can affect your personal growth and development and thoughts to succeed in the technological world. Developing confidence in yourself to change the world and define your future, developing the tenacity to keep going, and the courage to be a pioneer can be questioned. I was lucky to have parents who embodied all these attributes.
ALM: As an accomplished inventor, your insights and stories will inspire and motivate our young ones and shed light on the creative process behind game-changing inventions. So, without further ado, tell us about one of your most successful inventions and how it has impacted the world?
Antipem: The Science Set has stood out amongst my inventions. This is an affordable science toolbox that provides students with hands-on science, to build their creative capacity, increase their interest in science and equip them with the skills they need to create tomorrow’s technology. It contains 45 individual materials for over 38 experiments and it is small enough to fit on a student’s desk. There are currently over 100,000 students in Ghana, Nigeria, DRC, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, and the United States with access to the science sets.
THE SCIENCE SET
SCIENCE SET SERVED ITS PURPOSE IN THE CLASSROOM
ALM: Inventors have always played a crucial role in shaping the world we live in, and it is exciting to learn more about how they think and create. How do you come up with ideas for your inventions, and what is your creative process like?
Antipem: I enjoy solving problems and that is the beginning point of most of my ideas. When I see a challenge or a problem, then I need to address it immediately, hence I start thinking about a way to solve the problem till I get a satisfactory solution. This is my nature and I have accepted it as part of me.
ALM: Being an inventor requires a unique set of skills and qualities that can be developed through passion, dedication, and hard work. Inventors have the unique ability to turn their creative ideas into tangible solutions that can positively impact our society especially other young inventors. What advice would you give to other young people who are interested in becoming inventors?
Antipem: It is a fact that inventions and product innovations are the biggest drivers of economic development hence it’s a great field to be involved in however, being an inventor or innovator is a big responsibility and it can be rewarding and like every meaningful occupation it requires diligence, consistency, and hard work to make your dream a reality.
ALM: With technology advancing at an unprecedented pace, how is invention likely to shape our lives in the years to come and what are some of the most exciting developments you are looking forward to?
Antipem: The 3D printer was one of the key tools that enabled us to develop the science set and put it into small scale-manufacturing with the few resources we had. I look forward to more advanced tools and manufacturing processes that will empower low-resourced innovators to bring their inventions and innovations to the masses. Micromanufacturing space to watch out for.
ALM: How do you balance the business and financial aspects of being an inventor with your passion for creating and inventing?
Antipem: The best way to create a balancing act is to have balanced elements working together. It is all about the team. I was lucky to have a co-founder who was a perfect fit from the beginning. After we create a product, I get out there to look for market access and he sets up the systems for production.
ALM: Inventing is not just a creative process but also a business, how do you navigate this complex terrain of balancing the demands of running a business with their desire to invent hence what are some of the ethical considerations you keep in mind when developing new inventions?
Antipem: Inventions and innovations can be used for good or evil. This is something I understand and keep at the back of my mind. Fortunately, most of the problems I think about stem from a place of empathy. This means most solutions I come up with are almost by default because they are beneficial to lives and positively impact people and my innovations are also ethically sound.
ALM: As we explore the world of invention and innovation, one clear thing is that collaboration plays a vital role in the success of any inventor or innovation. That said, finding the right collaborators and working effectively with them can be challenging. How important is a collaboration with other inventors and experts in your field, and how do you approach finding and working with these collaborators?
Antipem: As I stated earlier getting the right team has been critical since day one. We also actively partner with other creators on different projects. That notwithstanding, I will say that the collaborations that often matter more are the ones with entities that are not directly involved in the innovation process such as collaboration with academia, and business entities being key.
ALM: Understanding your vision for the future is key to finding the right fit for your organization. Could you please elaborate more on your long-term goals as an inventor, what you hope to achieve through your work, and what kind of legacy you hope to leave in this field?
Antipem: Currently, we are making the science set a ubiquitous tool. Soon, every student on the African continent will experience the science set. If we can achieve this, then in 30 years Africa will have more Scientists and Engineers than other continents in the world.
