By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Tarkwa

Ninety-three pupils from two basic schools in Tarkwa have graduated from a transformative digital skills programme spearheaded by the Telecel Ghana Foundation in partnership with the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF).

The three-month training equipped students from Brahabebom and New Atuabo Basic Schools with hands-on knowledge in programming, website design, coding and robotics which are critical skills for thriving in the 21st-century digital economy.

The initiative, dubbed the Telecel DigiTech Academy, is part of efforts to bridge the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Jacquelyn Makumator-Jones, Foundation and Sustainability Specialist at Telecel Ghana, said the academy aims to empower young people to become technology creators and innovators rather than mere consumers.

“When the Telecel Ghana Foundation launched the DigiTech Academy as a small pilot in Ho ten months ago, our vision was clear – to break down barriers to digital skills, grow interest in technology, and equip-young people to solve real problems in their communities,” she said.

She added that the programme is already making a significant impact, with students across cohorts developing innovative solutions to local challenges, including smart waste bins to tackle poor sanitation, automated rail gates to improve transport safety, smart spectacles aiding the visually impaired, and water monitoring systems to prevent flooding.

“One of the programme’s key successes is its ability to bridge the gender gap in STEM education. Across all our cohorts, 70 percent of our learners are girls, proving that when we level the playing field, our young women can thrive and lead in science and technology,” she noted.

She urged the graduates to build on their knowledge, pursue STEM careers and continue creating solutions to improve their communities.

Abdel Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, in an address read for him, emphasised the programme’s role in fostering creativity, innovation and problem-solving among young learners, particularly in underserved communities.

He noted that the initiative forms part of Gold Fields’ broader commitment to community empowerment through education and capacity building.

“To date, the foundation has invested about US$15million in educational projects, including graduate training, apprenticeship schemes, heavy-duty equipment operations, welding and fabrication training, and domestic and industrial electrical programmes,” he revealed.

He further highlighted efforts to improve literacy by partnering with the Canadian Organization for Development through Education (CODE) to enhance reading and comprehension in 37 public schools in Tarkwa and Damang.

“As part of its push toward digital literacy, the foundation recently constructed a 54-seater smart lab at New Atuabo, serving pupils from Primary 5 to Junior High School. Two teachers have been trained in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to support learning,” he added.

Mr. Yakubu stated that the Telecel DigiTech Academy aligns strongly with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by championing inclusive education and building technological capacity among Ghana’s youth.

Madam Catherine Biney, Tarkwa Municipal Director of Education, also in an address read for her, commended the two foundations for their visionary collaboration, which has equipped pupils with essential digital skills.

“The world is evolving rapidly, driven by digital technology and innovation. To remain competitive and relevant, we must equip our young learners with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the digital future,” she said.

“What you have received here is more than knowledge – it is a tool for transformation. Keep innovating and exploring,” she advised the graduates.


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