The Young Scholars Club under the High G initiative is a bold response to the need for transformative education in Ghana. By connecting storytelling, research, mentorship, and media, it equips young minds with the tools to engage critically, communicate effectively, and dream boldly. It is not simply an academic club; it is the launchpad for the next generation of citizen scholars, innovators, and leaders.
Vision
The Young Scholars Club (YSC) under the High G initiative of The Academic Times Journal is more than a school-based activity, it is a national movement aimed at nurturing a generation of thinkers, researchers, and storytellers from the earliest stages of education.
Anchored in the belief that research and problem-solving must be introduced early, this initiative integrates inquiry-based learning into the academic and social development of students at the upper primary, junior high, and senior high school levels. The Academic Times Journal envisions these clubs as vehicles for developing future leaders who will shape Ghana’s progress through knowledge, innovation, and critical engagement.
Establishment of the Club
Every participating school will formally set up its Young Scholars Club through registration with The Academic Times Journal’s Young Scholars Directorate.
Upon registration, each school appoints one teacher to serve as a facilitator, the school’s official representative responsible for guiding club activities and maintaining communication with the national office. This teacher acts as a bridge between students, High G coaches, and the central coordination team.
The club will consist of students from various levels depending on the school category, and its structure will be democratic and inclusive. Student members will elect their executive committee to lead the club’s activities. This committee typically includes roles such as a President, Vice President, Secretary, Media Coordinator, and Research & Project Coordinator. These leaders, supported by the teacher-facilitator, will steer the club’s termly goals and project planning.
Mentorship and Guidance
Internally trained High G Coaches, field mentors trained under The Academic Times Journal—will be assigned to clusters of schools. Their primary role is to provide technical support and mentorship, monitor club progress, and occasionally visit schools to review projects and advise students.
These coaches are vital in helping students identify problems worth investigating, formulate research questions, and implement proper methods of inquiry, documentation, and analysis.
In addition to face-to-face visits, High G Coaches will maintain communication through virtual platforms (telvision engagements through the research hour programs) and provide templates, reading materials, and periodic webinars on research methodology and civic problem-solving.
At the heart of every Young Scholars Club is its research and problem-solving activities. Each term, clubs are required to embark on at least one student-led project. These may be individual or collaborative investigations that stem from curriculum extensions or real-life issues within their communities. Themes can range from technology, health, sanitation, education, and agriculture to climate, governance, and innovation.
These projects must follow a structured format—defining a problem, outlining objectives, collecting data, analyzing findings, and presenting conclusions. The student executive committee leads the planning process, supported by the facilitator and guided by the assigned High G Coach. Research outputs will include written interviews, video data, reports, infographics, and photo journals.
Media and Documentation Support
The Media Team of The Academic Times Journal plays a critical role in amplifying the voices of these young scholars. Upon request, this team is available to help schools document the research process through videos, interviews, and creative storytelling formats. This support ensures that students not only learn how to conduct research but also how to communicate findings effectively to a wider audience.
Where applicable, students will be trained to conduct on-camera interviews, narrate community experiences, and collect visual data—skills that enhance both their confidence and their understanding of the societal context of their research topics. These media products will contribute to student-led publications and documentary features promoted on national platforms.
Publication and Recognition
Final research projects from the Young Scholars Clubs will be reviewed by the Senior High School Editorial Board for potential publication in The Academic Times Journal’s High G edition. These publications will be made accessible through the digital libraries of all participating schools and across library networks under the Ghana Library Authority, promoting a strong reading culture among senior high school students.
Selected impactful projects will also be featured on the Research Hour television program, providing students with a national platform to present their findings, insights, and recommendations directly to the public and relevant stakeholders. This exposure not only validates their scholarly efforts but also deepens their engagement with real-world issues.
In recognition of their work, students and clubs will receive certificates of achievement, be highlighted in special features, and may be invited to participate in regional and national academic exhibitions and symposia.
This recognition goes beyond celebrating academic excellence—it inspires a generation to keep asking questions, exploring solutions, and driving innovation for the future of Ghana.
Registration and Onboarding of Schools
Schools that wish to establish a Young Scholars Club must complete a registration process with the Young Scholars Directorate under The Academic Times Journal. Registration includes submission of school details, nomination of the teacher facilitator, and an introductory call or orientation session.
Upon approval, the school receives a starter package including a facilitator’s guidebook, student membership forms, and a project planning toolkit.
The onboarding process concludes with the assignment of a High G Coach to the school and inclusion in the official club network, which enables access to events, resources, and national calls for publication.
