The seventh dEX Design Conference (DDC26) has opened its doors to students from junior high school through university, running from 12 to 14 November 2026 at the National Theatre of Ghana. The dEX Ghana Foundation has introduced a dedicated student programme, daily main‑stage time and group rates for schools.
Daniel Ampofo, Founder and President of the dEX Ghana Foundation, said the initiative addresses a gap in how young Ghanaians discover design. “The designers who will shape Ghana in twenty years are sitting in classrooms right now, and many of them have no idea design is a serious profession,” he noted. “If the first time they hear about it is after university, we have already lost years. We want them in the room early.”
Students will enjoy a plenary on the main stage each day, alongside a dedicated track of First Light sessions. Over the three days they can learn the foundations of design thinking, practise presenting ideas visually, take part in a hands‑on reuse and upcycling lab, build a first portfolio and hear an honest conversation about money and creative careers. Speed‑mentoring sessions connect students one‑to‑one with established designers.
A Student Pass costs GHS 150. Schools and universities booking 20 or more students pay GHS 120 per student, and each group of 20 receives a complimentary Pro Pass for an accompanying lecturer. Through the DDC26 Student Fund, individuals and organisations can sponsor young Ghanaian designers who could not otherwise attend. Schools and universities can arrange group bookings at ddc26@dexghana.org. Individual tickets are available at ticket.dexghana.org.
