The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, in partnership with the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana, has successfully trained a total of 200 students and 50 teachers in the Shai Osudoku District of Greater Accra in Coding, 3D Printing and the Internet of Things (IoT) as part of its "Coding Caravan" initiative funded by the Chamber. The students were selected from 21 schools in the district, while the teachers were selected from 50 separate schools in the district.

In an interview on the sidelines of the training workshop, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, expressed hope of witnessing innovative solutions being birthed by the participants to tackle societal issues across the country in the short to medium term.

“We want to get to a stage where a child that we are training today can come up with a solution to deal with a challenge that surrounds them. We have been focused on doing this in the communities and environments where, as a Chamber and our partners, we can return because we want to spend the majority of our money not on our boarding and lodging but rather on teaching the kids.”

He also called on corporations to support the Coding Caravan team to scale up the initiative: “Any corporate body that wants, we can show you the proof of concept. We can show you how it is done and its impact. You don’t need to give the money to us. You can decide to sponsor a community of your choice; we’ll bring the volunteers and partners, and we’ll come to your community and deliver this course.”

The participating students were introduced to Scratch, a free programming language that allows users to create interactive stories, games, and animations. They also explored 3D design, printing, and the IoT, gaining hands-on experience in these crucial areas.

To ensure the long-term impact of the project, Dr. Ashigbey stressed the importance of also training teachers in the above-mentioned areas. This approach equips educators with the skills needed to continue the initiative's goals independently as it expands to new schools. He noted the shift from theory-based to practical teaching methods, aiming to better prepare students for real-world challenges. 

He urged citizens to support the initiative through various means, including providing transportation and internet access, as the project plans to extend from Accra to Paga.

Ms. Dorothy Klutse, Digital Skills Training Supervisor at the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH), led sessions on "thinkatoys" and 3D printing within the IoT framework. She demonstrated practical applications of IoT, such as improving traffic light functionality through internet connectivity, among others.

According to Ms. Klutse, it is critical for the Ghanaian child to be introduced to world of IoT and 3D Printing among others. “The things we’ve thought today will significantly impact the children as the world continues to become a global village. I would like to highlight the importance of the children learning about the internet-of-things (IoT) as well as concepts like artificial intelligence. They would in the future use such platforms to develop innovative solutions to our problems.”

Addressing the students, Nana Yaa Amoah Bediako, Apagyahemaa of Asamankese, encouraged them to use ICT positively. She advised, "Instead of misusing ICT, use your access to computers and phones wisely. With data, you have a gateway to the global world, offering opportunities to learn new and beneficial things. Avoid wasting time on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram. Instead, you can learn new words, skills, or hobbies. For example, I learned how to make fula and granular online."

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications remains committed to empowering the next generation through responsible and innovative use of ICT, fostering a brighter future for all. 

The Coding Caravan Project has previously reached communities such as Tsiame, Nsawam, Akyem Oda, Agona Swedru, and Ofoase Ayirebi and trained about 1,500 pupils and 250 teachers across these areas.

Source: Chamber News Desk