The Global Closing Ceremony of UNESCO’s International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ2025) marked a powerful moment of reflection and forward-looking dialogue with AIMS Ghana, being a UNESCO Category 2 Institute, standing proudly at the heart of the conversation.

Organised under the auspices of Ghana’s Ministry of Education, AIMS Ghana, UNESCO Ghana, and the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, the Closing Ceremony took place at the Labadi Beach Hotel from 10th to 11th February 2026. Gracing the occasion was Ghana’s Minister for Education – Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Assistant Director-General for Natural Science at UNESCO Paris – Dr. Lidia Brito, Chief of Section for Basic Sciences, Research Innovation and Engineering – Dr. Amal Kasry, UNESCO Paris, the UN Resident Coordinator for Ghana, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology of Ghana, Secretary General, Ghana Commission for UNESCO among others.

Over the period, there were presentations from key stakeholders and high-level panel discussion from Quantum Science thought-leaders and institutions from across the globe.

As part of the sessions, AIMS Ghana Centre President, Dr. Prince Koree Osei, joined a distinguished panel on “Quantum Science for Global Development: Building Talent, Expanding Access and Shaping the Future of National Competitiveness.” Moderated by Carla Hermann Avigliano of the University of Chile, the discussion brought together global experts including Rosario Fazio (ICTP), Daniel Moraes (Venturus), and David Morcuende (QuIC), who explored the urgent need to bridge the global quantum divide through strategic capacity building.

Emphasis was placed on how nations particularly in the Global South, can expand access to quantum knowledge, skills and infrastructure to ensure that emerging technologies drive inclusive growth and enhance national competitiveness. Dr. Osei highlighted Africa’s growing role in the global quantum ecosystem and underscored the importance of investing in talent development to secure long-term scientific and economic impact.

A standout moment of the ceremony came in a session led by AIMS Ghana’s Academic Manager – Dr. Angela Tabiri. Here our Institute showcased one of the outcomes of the recently organized Quantum Technology Education (QTEdu) Global Event which had a Quantathon competition as a major component. The room buzzed with excitement as Dorcas Seshie, a former AIMS Girls in Mathematical Sciences Programme (GMSP) beneficiary and member of the winning team, took the stage to present Qualaria, an innovative initiative born from the competition. Qualaria seeks to bridge quantum software research and real-world malaria drug discovery by connecting innovators with key stakeholders in health and research.

Her presentation was a compelling testament to the power of intentional investment in young people. It demonstrated how targeted training and exposure to frontier fields like quantum science can build real capacity, spark innovation, and equip Africa’s next generation with practical, future-ready skills. This was also a platform for AIMS to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) – 2026 especially highlighting the contributions of women and girls in STEM fields.

With AIMS Ghana alumni, students and staff joining the African and Global Scientific community for this celebration, the IYQ2025 was more than a ceremonial milestone; it was a declaration that Africa is not merely observing the quantum revolution, it is actively shaping it. The future of quantum science is global and Africa is undeniably part of that story.