In a pragmatic step toward bridging the digital divide in education, H.E. John Dramani Mahama officially commissioned the Yamoransa Model Lab 13 in the Savannah Region. The ultra-modern ICT and STEAM facility is now officially open, set to elevate student learning, spark grassroots innovation, and prepare the youth of Northern Ghana for a tech-driven future.
The state-of-the-art lab reflects the President’s dedicated vision to champion Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education in his hometown, Damongo, where access to technological and digital resources has historically been low. To address this challenge, President Mahama partnered with the Helping Africa Foundation (HAF), the founders of the Yamoransa Model Lab Program. As part of his ongoing philanthropic efforts, President Mahama financed the construction of the facility while HAF funded the technology and digital equipment. This collaboration resulted in the successful completion of a project that has been in development since 2022.
The centrality of the Yamoransa Model Lab 13 transcends just an ICT lab. This lab is designed to nurture creativity, critical thinking, innovation, and practical problem-solving among young students. YM Lab 13 is likened to a home where students feel safe, share interests, and explore new possibilities. The YM Lab consists of two 28-seater EDUlabs, a makerspace, a conference room, educational content accessible without the internet, Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) learning gadgets, 3D printing, and washrooms for both students and teachers. Another unique feature is that the entire lab is powered by solar, deliberately leveraging renewable energy solutions while promoting environmental sustainability. The lab is expected to serve 10 schools, reaching over 4,000 students within the community. The completion and successful commissioning of YM Lab 13 was made possible through collaboration between H.E. John Dramani Mahama and Helping Africa Foundation, IMPLEMENTERS (Project Managers), TECHAiDE, Ghana Educational Service, the West Gonja Municipal Assembly, and the Local Traditional Council.
With the facility now open, students in Damongo are transitioning from a strictly theoretical approach to hands-on, practical learning. Past beneficiaries of the model have shown a remarkable increase in academic excellence and a heightened interest both in pursuing STEAM courses at the senior and tertiary levels and venturing into STEAM careers in the future. Teachers are also exposed to modern resources, which will significantly enhance their teaching proficiency.
The ceremony was led by President Mahama and attended by a high-profile delegation, including representatives from the Office of the President, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, the Ghana Education Service, and civil society organizations, alongside STEM enthusiasts from across the region. As the official Promoter of the lab, President Mahama pledged his continuous, long-term commitment to advancing STEAM education in the district, promising to secure sustainable funding and foster future stakeholder collaborations to expand the initiative even further.
The Yamoransa Model Labs has set the trajectory by serving as a proven model for educational transformation. Since its inception in 2016, 17 labs have been successfully established across 15 regions in Ghana, with 2 additional labs in The Gambia and Liberia. Preparations are also underway for the construction of another lab in Northern Ghana, further expanding the initiative’s vision of bridging the technological divide.
