As part of the strategic ways to empower students with the needed skills for a brighter future, the MTN Ghana Foundation has handed over a robotics center to Mamfe Methodist Girls Senior High School to help uplift science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
As a result of strong partnerships and collaborations with communities in the country, the MTN Ghana Foundation has made significant impacts and supported schools and communities with ICT centers, libraries, hospital blocks, and food processing centers, among others.
It is estimated that more than 50% of Africa’s population is at risk of being left out of the digital economy, with dire economic implications for the continent. The MTN Foundation has dedicated 75% of its annual spend to STEM and ICT-related projects.
The MTN Ghana Foundation has focused its attention on digital skills training and dedicated resources to providing access to quality STEM education through the provision of scholarships and facilities to schools and communities.
It is expected to serve as a training and learning hub for young people to explore, experiment and innovate through hands-on experience. Students will have the opportunity to explore building and inventing through various challenges using tools like LEGO and Rev Robots.
Students will also engage in brainstorming, designing, and building activities using 3D Printer Masking, which is becoming a common feature in many STEM laboratories. The activities enhance advanced design skills and add an extra dimension to STEM projects. Additionally, coding activities and AI research will be facilitated in the research room, benefiting not only Mamfe Methodist Girls Senior High School but also the wider community.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh, said the Foundation’s decision to build the Robotics Centre for the school forms part of MTN’s 25th anniversary celebrations and was motivated by the unprecedented accomplishments of the students of Mamfe Methodist Girls Senior High School in STEM and robotics.
Mr. Selorm Adadevoh explained that crowning two-time champions of the World Robotic Competition, surpassing 5000 teams worldwide, Mamfe Methodist Girls SHS have challenged the widely held notion that STEM is exclusively for boys adding that the successes have demonstrated that girls can equally excel in STEM with the appropriate guidance, training, and environment.
He disclosed that the state-of-the-art Robotics Centre is first of its kind for the Foundation, completed at a total cost of GHC2,280,489.
Mr. Selorm Adadevoh said that as a leading telecommunications company with the strategic goal of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress, they are fully aware of the immense role that ICT plays in daily lives and the enormous opportunities it offers for the future.
‘‘It is therefore not surprising that many countries have adopted ICT and basic coding as part of their educational curriculum for early age children. This is evidently to prepare them for a future where digital literacy will be crucial to navigating the job market and creating opportunities for people in various fields. We in Ghana and indeed Africa, cannot afford to be left behind,’’ he said.
He took the opportunity to congratulate the management and staff of this school for their hard work and dedication in shaping these young students to become impactful members of society adding that the MTN Foundation is proud to partner with the school to empower the young ladies to break barriers and make a difference in STEM.
The Board Chairman for MTN Ghana Foundation, Professor Franklyn Manu stated that digital skills training is at the centre of the Foundation projects with a vision to partake in driving digital, financial inclusion and bringing the benefits of technology to Ghanaians.
Professor Franklyn Manu said that the foundation is determined to do its best to help tackle the widening digital skills divide in Ghana through impactful projects such as the Robotics Centre and other digital skills training initiatives through the Digital Skills Academy.
He affirmed that they will continue to support educational projects to pave the way for youth, especially women and girls, as well as differently abled people, to have equal representation and participation from all segments.
Speaking at the Robotics Center inaugural ceremony at Mamfe Methodist Girls Senior High School, Professor Franklyn Manu indicated that the robotics facility will provide students with everything they will need to continue excelling in technological education and help them achieve their future aspirations.
Professor Franklyn Manu entreated the school authorities to take good care of the facility, adding that there is need to ensure a high maintenance culture.
‘‘We encourage that a facility maintenance plan be developed with inputs from all stakeholders to ensure that this project is sustained for many more years,’’ Professor Franklyn Manu urged.
The Deputy Minister for Education, Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, commended the MTN Ghana Foundation for partnering the Ministry of Education to spread digital skills training initiatives in some parts of the country.
Hon. Ntim Fordjour explained that the investment by the MTN Foundation will be useful and serve other schools in the area.
He said that the government is committed to investing heavily into the educational system to empower young people with 21st century ecosystems at the various schools and to improve STEM education in the country.
He disclosed measures being put in place by the government to transform aspects of the educational system to enable students to competently and confidently compete with any other person around the world for opportunities.
Headmistress of Mamfe Methodist Girls SHS, Madam Winifred Siebu Arthur, praised the management of the MTN Ghana Foundation for constructing an ultra-modern robotics center for students in the area.
Madam Winifred Siebu indicated that the project will help schools in the municipality.
Other robotic facilities that the Foundation has partnered with institutions and communities to establish are:
-The Christina Akua Brago Diawuo Library and Technology Hub in Akim Oda, with a fully equipped robotics room and state-of-the-art equipment.
-The Dansoman Multipurpose Library has a robotics section that provides training for young people in the Dansoman community.
-The Wiamoase Technology Development Center is equipped with robotics equipment for training and learning.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Solomon Nartey
