On 13 August, Rosatom’s sixth international Arctic expedition, Icebreaker of Knowledge, set sail from Murmansk, Russia and this year, Ghana proudly has a seat on board. The voyage, organized by the Atomic Energy Information Centres network with support from Rosatom, celebrates two milestones: the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry and the 500th anniversary of the Northern Sea Route’s development.
The expedition will journey from Murmansk, pass through the North Pole, and reach Franz Josef Land before returning on 22 August — Russia’s State Flag Day. Along the way, participants will take part in a unique scientific and educational program featuring experts in nuclear and space technologies, as well as science communicators from across the globe.
Representing Ghana is Majdoub Kenneth, one of 66 exceptional schoolchildren from 21 countries selected through a fiercely competitive process involving over 67,000 applicants worldwide. Kenneth’s inclusion marks a significant milestone for Ghana’s youth in global scientific engagement, making him among the first Ghanaians to set foot at the northernmost point on Earth.
Speaking from Murmansk ahead of the voyage, Kenneth described the experience as “both exciting and humbling,” adding:
“Although our journey to Murmansk was long and tiring, our stay has been comfortable and warmly welcoming. Meeting new people and exploring Murmansk’s history has been fascinating. I feel both excited and a little anxious about what lies ahead, but I expect this trip to be eye-opening and inspiring.”
During the expedition, Kenneth and his peers will learn about the inner workings of a nuclear icebreaker, witness the Arctic’s breathtaking natural beauty, and even test Russian rovers in extreme polar conditions.
The Icebreaker of Knowledge brings together not only students but also scientists, engineers, and notable figures in nuclear and space industries, including Indonesian nuclear research leader Topan Setiadipura, Vietnamese nuclear physicist Suang Trung Le, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Babkin.
According to Yakov Antonov, Director General of Rosatom’s Atomflot:
“Russia is the only country with a nuclear icebreaker fleet, and we hope this voyage will inspire the next generation of discoverers and innovators.”
For Ghana, Kenneth’s participation is more than symbolic it reflects the country’s growing interest in science, technology, and nuclear energy as tools for sustainable development. His journey northward stands as an inspiration to Ghanaian students aiming for careers in advanced scientific fields.
During their journey, the participants will learn about the structure and operation of a nuclear icebreaker. They will also have the opportunity to see the unique natural beauty of the Arctic region, make the fastest round-the-world journey ever when they walk around the point wh ere all earth’s meridians meet, and test russian rovers for the first time ever in the harsh conditions of the North Pole.
This year, 66 schoolchildren from 21 countries including Brazil, Bolivia, Egypt, Indonesia, China, and other countries have joined the expedition. Many of the foreign participants will be the first representatives of their countries to visit this northernmost point on Earth.
In his address to the participants of the ceremony for the “Icebreaker of Knowledge” Arctic expedition set off, Grigory Gurov, head of the Youth Affairs Federal Agency and an expert on the “Icebreaker of Knowledge 2025” expedition, pointed out: “Visiting the North Pole is a dream for many people, comparable to going into space. Joining Rosatom’s international Arctic expedition on a nuclear icebreaker is a truly unique opportunity. Those who have been chosen for this trip had to work hard to earn it and to prove that they are the best of the best. This year’s competition set a record with more than 1,400 people applying for each place. In total, over 63,000 Russians and 4,000 citizens from other countries applied. For some, this was their first major success, showing that everything is achievable if you dream. Thanks to decisions made by the President of Russia, young people have the opportunity to realize their potential, brave ideas and dreams through the national project “Youth and Children”.
Yakov Antonov, Director General of Atomflot (Rosatom’s company) spoke about the importance of the international Arctic expedition of Rosatom: “2025 marks 500 years since Russia began to develop the Northern Sea Route, a unique route from Europe to the Far East. We never cease to be proud of the feat of our pioneers, who fearlessly, step by step, overcame the difficult path to incredible discoveries. Russia is the only country in the world that has a nuclear icebreaker fleet, and I am sure that on the Icebreaker of Knowledge voyage, schoolchildren will be inspired by the vastness of the Arctic, and in the future they will become new discoverers, creators of breakthrough technologies, which we will also be proud of”.
