AngloGold Ashanti Ghana’s Obuasi Mine has taken a significant step towards fostering innovation and technological growth by breaking ground on an GH¢8.4 million robotics centre at the Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
This state-of-the-art facility, which encompasses construction and furnishing, is poised to become a hub for innovation and artificial intelligence, providing students not only at the school but also within the entire Obuasi community with opportunities to expand their knowledge in robotics.
In today’s world, digital skills are of paramount importance, particularly as there is a growing demand for tech jobs across sub-Saharan Africa. A study conducted in 2019 by the International Finance Corporation projected that by 2030, approximately 230 million jobs across the region would require digital skills, with over nine million of those jobs situated in Ghana.
The project, which is expected to have 3 robotic laboratories, exhibition labs, general-purpose labs, stores, washrooms, etc. will be undertaken by DENCENT Company Limited, an Obuasi-based construction firm.
Speaking to the media during the sod-cutting ceremony, Emmanuel Baidoo, the Senior Manager of Sustainability at AngloGold Ashanti, expressed the company’s commitment to nurturing a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among students in their host communities.
He highlighted the school’s recent achievements, noting that the Obuasi Senior High Technical School retained its title as the winner of the National Sci-Tech Challenge in 2022 after claiming the same award in 2021.
“We believe that with the centre being here, a lot of hidden talents will be harnessed and Obuasi will become the centre of excellence in robotics,” Mr. Baidoo added.
The Headmaster of the Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Ernest Wiafe, shared his perspective, stating that the school had established itself as a leader in STEM education in the country, despite facing numerous challenges.
He expressed excitement about the upcoming robotics centre, which he believes will be a game-changer for the school’s robotics education.
“It would be recalled that Obuasi Senior High Technical School retained their crown as winners of the National Sci-Tech Challenge in 2022 after winning the same award in 2021,” Mr. Wiafe proudly stated.
George Alfred Koomson, the Municipal Director of Education, also emphasized the importance of the center in Obuasi, particularly in the context of the Ministry of Education’s commitment to improving STEM education in Ghana. He acknowledged the school’s past successes in robotics and predicted that the new center would further enhance the robotics education landscape.
“We believe that with the center being here, a lot of hidden talents will be harnessed and Obuasi will become the center of excellence in robotics,” Mr. Koomson noted.
Nana Kojo Obeng, the Odikro of Koffekrom, commended AngloGold Ashanti for its array of programs under its 10-year Sustainable Employment and Development Program (SEDP).
He believed that with continued support, AngloGold Ashanti would contribute significantly to transforming the economy and the lives of the people of Obuasi.
SOURCE: SAMPSON MANU/ISD OBUASI
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