Team Akofena, which includes Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) mechanical engineering alumnus Bismark Agyare, has won the inaugural DigiFest Game Developer Contest 2026.

The team won with a browser-based 2.5D fighting game that reimagines Ghanaian heroes and folk legends as playable characters. Agyare developed the game alongside Caleb Mantey, Nicholas Abakah Eshun and Wilson Worlako Aziaka.

The prototype features three playable legends, two stages, local two-player matches and a guided training mode to help players learn the game’s mechanics.

The contest was organised in collaboration with KNUST’s Department of Computer Engineering, Department of Computer Science, DIPPER Lab and MTN Ghana.

It gave university students and independent game developers a platform to showcase original games, receive feedback from industry professionals and compete for prizes and further development opportunities.

The competition was open to individuals and teams and formed part of MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary celebrations.

Prof. Eric Tutu Tchao, head of KNUST’s Department of Computer Engineering, welcomed the collaboration with MTN Ghana, saying industry partnerships could help prepare students for the job market.

He said universities must equip engineers and developers with skills to secure jobs or create opportunities after graduation.

“As a department, our mandate is not just to train developers or engineers, but to train them so that when they are done with their education, they will have jobs,” he said.

Prof. Tchao expressed hope that the partnership would continue, giving students opportunities to apply their knowledge and develop products that meet industry needs.

Emmanuel Asuming Frimpong, dean of KNUST’s Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, urged students to use their skills to develop products rather than remain consumers of digital content.

“Look within yourself, identify your capabilities. Whatever it is, make sure you produce something for others to consume. Don’t be content with consuming content every day,” he advised.

Bless Sefenu Agordjo, senior manager for digital services and verticals at MTN Ghana, said the contest gave students practical exposure to game development, helping them gain industry experience before entering the job market.