Akim achiase: Hope and excitement filled the Islamic Basic School in Akim Achiase as employees of Telecel Ghana inaugurated a newly renovated 30-seater information, communication, and technology (ICT) laboratory for the district. This initiative, part of the 'Bridging Digital Divide' project, was funded through donations from Telecel Ghana's Consumer and Enterprise Business units, under the telco's Employee Volunteering Programme known as Red Hearts.
According to Ghana Web, the project received seed funding from the Telecel Ghana Foundation, with staff voluntarily crowdfunding to support social intervention projects in underserved communities of their choice. The commissioning ceremony drew attendance from the district chief executive, education directorate officials, religious and traditional leaders, teachers, students, community members, and Telecel Ghana employees. Pupils eagerly explored the newly installed computers, driven by a newfound interest in learning digital skills.
Emmanuel Larbi Nyarko, headteacher of the Islamic Basic School, expressed gratitude for the IT centre, emphasizing its potential to provide students with digital learning opportunities necessary for global competitiveness. 'This is a dream come true for our students. We are deeply grateful to Telecel Ghana employees for this investment and your commitment to ensuring no child is left behind in today's digital world,' Nyarko stated.
Carlos Asare-Okoh, project lead and Propositions and Segments manager at Telecel Ghana, highlighted the deliberate selection of the district to bridge the digital divide by equipping students with practical technological skills. 'This project is proof that when employees come together with a shared purpose, meaningful impact can happen,' he said. Asare-Okoh also encouraged young people in Achiase to pursue their aspirations.
The newly established ICT centre, equipped with 30 desktop computers, furniture, and a year-long free internet connection, aims to enhance digital learning and ICT education in the district. Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, Head of Foundation, Sustainability, and External Communications at Telecel Ghana, described the intervention as a part of the company's commitment to using technology for social inclusion and national development. 'This ICT lab is about giving young people in Akim Achiase the tools to lead the digital future,' Rockson remarked.
District Chief Executive for Akim Achiase, Hon. Samuel Owusu Brako, praised the initiative, emphasizing the importance of equal digital opportunities for children in rural communities. 'The renovated IT lab is like a tree of knowledge erected today, so our children can sit under its shade for years to come,' Brako said. He expressed hope that children who have never used computers will now have the chance to do so.
For students previously limited to theoretical ICT lessons, the new facility provides a tangible connection to the digital world and future opportunities. As dignitaries toured the facility, students eagerly tested the computers, exploring the internet for the first time. Among them was Hafisatu, a basic seven pupil, who aspires to a career in aviation. 'I have always wanted to learn how to use computers properly because it will help us learn faster and make our lessons easier,' Hafisatu shared.
The event also featured cultural performances and poetry recitals by students, celebrating the integration of education and technology. Telecel Ghana employees, whose donations facilitated the project, saw the commissioning as both a culmination of corporate social responsibility and a testament to the power of collective action in opening doors for future generations.