Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, a renowned scientist and academic, has called for collaborative efforts to bridge Africa’s technical skills gap, emphasising the need for enhanced Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education.
Speaking at the opening of the Annual Impact Roundtable Discussion and Robotics Competition (AIRTAD 2025) in Accra, she highlighted the rapid advancement of technology and underscored the need for a “connected response” to these changes.
Prof. Kaufmann, who serves as Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, cited a 2023 World Bank article estimating that Sub-Saharan Africa requires 2.5 million engineers to address its development challenges. She stressed the urgent need to empower young people through STEAM education to help bridge this gap and drive innovation.
Advancing STEAM Education Across Africa
AIRTAD 2025 celebrates and assesses the progress of the Yamoransa Model Labs Programme, an initiative aimed at expanding STEAM education across Africa.
The Yamoransa Model Labs, according to officials, provide solar-powered ICT centres equipped with educational content, multimedia resources, robotics workspaces, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) learning tools, and 3D printing facilities to selected communities.
Funded by the Helping Africa Foundation (HAF) in partnership with the Ministry of Education in various African countries, the initiative seeks to bridge educational gaps through technology-driven learning.
The two-day conference was organised by IMPLEMENTERS, a non-profit project management organisation, in collaboration with Helping Africa Foundation, under the theme:
“The Yamoransa Model Impact Year: Scaling the Successes of Bridging Educational Gaps with Technology.”
Call for Sustainable Innovation
Commending the organisers, Prof. Kaufmann urged stakeholders to view AIRTAD not merely as a forum for discussions but as a platform to envision the future of STEAM education in Africa and develop solutions that “satisfy and sustain humanity.”
She also emphasised that the success of the Yamoransa Model Labs serves as a platform to showcase African innovation and talent on the global stage, attracting investment and accelerating development.
Expanding Access to Technology Education
Dr. Deborah Rose, President of the Helping Africa Foundation, described AIRTAD 2025 as a crucial step towards expanding and fostering strategic partnerships for the Yamoransa Model Labs Programme across Sub-Saharan Africa.
“More than a celebration, this event is a rallying call to transform education in Africa, fostering inclusive, technology-driven learning environments that ensure no child is left behind,” she stated.
Mr. Kafui Prebbie, Chief Executive Officer of IMPLEMENTERS, highlighted the progress of the initiative, noting that 13 Model Labs have been established across Ghana, with two additional centres in development.
He also introduced Asanka, an offline learning tool integrated into the labs to enhance teaching and learning experiences. So far, the project has impacted over 55,000 pupils, with a target of reaching 100,000 more in the coming years.
Mr. Prebbie reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting communities and aligning with government efforts to advance technology education.
Robotics Competition Showcases Innovation
A key highlight of AIRTAD 2025 was the robotics competition, where students showcased their expertise in coding, engineering, and problem-solving. The event also featured innovative projects developed within the Yamoransa Model Labs, demonstrating the transformative role of technology-driven education in equipping students with 21st-century skills.
