Two NGOs -the Helping Africa Foundation (HAF) and Friends of Yamoransa Foundation (FYF) have commissioned a 40-seater ultramodern ICT laboratory at Peki-Avetile in the South Dayi District of the Volta region.
The well-equipped ICT laboratory is the 6th facility built by the HAF and FYF, dubbed: “Yamoransa Model Lab 6,” which is to provide free ICT literacy in the area has a conference room also for teacher training and workshops.
It has a MakerSpace specially designed by TECHAiDE, a technology company to help prepare Ghanaian students who need the critical 21st-century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The MakerSpace installed as part of the facility includes a 3D printer, augmented/virtual reality system, Arduino, legos, and other robotics equipment.
The computers are installed with over 30 pieces of educational software to address the curriculum requirements of primary through junior high school levels.
An ASANKA device at the facility provides educational content over wi-fi for the center, a solar panel to ensure continuous power supply, and a half-field football park around the facility.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held on Tuesday, 17th November, President of Helping Africa Foundation (HAF), Dr. Deborah Rose, said the purpose of the Yamoransa Model labs is intended to expand ICT education across Ghana, in truly sustainable ways to promote teaching and learning.
She said the expansion was also an exemplary propagation of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s stirring mantra of “Ghana Beyond Aid,” to make the country self-reliant and digitized economy.
Dr. Rose was confident that the promotion of ICT education will support and facilitate government’s vision of a digitized Ghana.
Mr. Japhet Aryiku, Executive Director of HAF said his outfit was committed to spreading ICT education across Ghana and that each region in the country will benefit from one Lab.
He said the mission of his NGO is working to improve the education, health, and social conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Ghana.
He stated further that, HAF and the FYF were aiming at supporting and assisting with initiatives that are driven by technology for local communities.
He cautioned managers of the lab not to charge learners for using the facility.
According to the chief executive officer of TECHAiDE, Mr. Kafui Prebbie, the center was programmed for the studies of ICT, mathematics, science, and English language.
Regional Minister’s speech
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, said government’s quest to build an equitable society in which the productive capacities of the people are tapped for national development will come to nothing if the citizenry does not have the basic information they may require.
He said people should have access to quality education, not only to earn a living in the future but also because only a nation of well educated, skilled, well-informed, and morally sound people can build a just and prosperous society.
Dr. Letsa added that the ICT facility fulfills the Ministry of Education’s objective of making the study of mathematics, science, and ICT practical and charged the District Assembly to develop a comprehensive maintenance plan for the facility to prolong its life span.
He said the world was trending in a knowledge-based economy and that any nation whose people do not have the required level of education and knowledge would not progress in today’s dynamic and competitive world; and may remain economically dependent.
Deiga Kwadzo Dei XII, Chairman of the ceremony and Paramount Chief of Peki Traditional Area said, pupils were studying ICT in the classrooms but had no opportunity to practically demonstrate what they were learning due to the lack of computer facilities and that the center would now translate their studies to reality.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/103.5fm/Faisel Abdul-Iddrisu
