CEO of IMPLEMENTERS excited about the impact of Yamoransa ICT labs on disadvantaged communities
The Yamoransa Model Labs Program continues to transform educational opportunities for underserved communities in Ghana. With a commitment to build fully equipped ICT labs in each of the 16 regions in Ghana as well as other sub-Saharan countries, this initiative, by IMPLEMENTERS in partnership with the Helping Africa Foundation (HAF), is promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education for local communities.
At the recent Annual Round Table Discussion & Robotics Competition (AiRTAD) 2024, themed “The Yamoransa Model Labs Program – Investing in the Future,” Chief Executive Officer of IMPLEMENTERS, Kafui Prebbie, shared his enthusiasm for the progress of the Yamoransa Model ICT Labs. According to Mr Prebbie, the initiative has had a transformative impact on students in under-resourced areas, equipping young learners with digital literacy and STEAM skills that are essential in the 21st century. “We’re very excited about the progress because we look at children who would not have had this opportunity to use technology,” he noted. “These students are now learning programming and other technology skills, fostering a new level of creativity and innovation.”
A key component of the Yamoransa Model Labs Program is its commitment to inclusivity. Special provisions ensure that young adults with disabilities can participate fully in these labs. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on female inclusion, with initiatives to encourage girls to engage in STEM subjects, addressing gender imbalances in the sciences.
Deputy Executive Director of the Helping Africa Foundation, Jonathan Wiesner, highlighted the foundation’s commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities. “The ASANKA device programmed with the Ghanaian curriculum enables students in underserved communities to access technology and learning resources that would be unavailable otherwise.” Wiesner explained. “This technology provides offline internet access to areas without connectivity, further expanding educational access”.
The program has also drawn support from local industry leaders. President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, who has personally supported Lab Six in Peki, Volta Region, emphasized the program’s potential to develop future engineers and innovators. He called for more collaboration between the project and industry partners to expose students to real-world applications and opportunities for their innovations. “The next step is collaboration,” he said, urging industry and research institutions, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), to work with the labs to help students advance their technological skills and make meaningful contributions to the community.
A highlight of AIRTAD 2024 was the student exhibition from the 13 Yamoransa Model Lab centres. These young innovators showcased solutions to societal challenges, using technology to address real-world problems. Their innovations represent meaningful steps toward the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligning with the Yamoransa Model Labs Program’s vision of fostering sustainable development and community growth.
For more information on the Yamoransa Model Labs Program, including the progress of individual labs and ways to get involved, please visit our website or contact us directly.
