The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has received 55 computers from the iamtheCODE foundation to help train girls and boys in IT and coding skills.
The founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of iamtheCODE.org, Lady Marième Jamme donated the computers to the AMA on Wednesday at the launch of the “Digital and Reproductive Health Learning Programme for Boys and Girls in Informal Settlements” at the Ga Mashie Development Agency (GAMADA).
Chief Executive of the AMA, Hon Elizabeth Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey who received the computers expressed appreciation to iamtheCode.org for the support and was hopeful the initiative would provide the digital skills to the most marginalized individuals and ensure the holistic development of young people whilst reducing the rate of teenage pregnancy and early fatherhood among others.
She acknowledged that data and coding when properly utilized could influence a positive change in society and expressed the Assembly’s commitment to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
She noted that the project was in sync with the Government’s free SHS policy under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and used the opportunity to thank all stakeholders supporting ICT education across Ghana.
Lady Marième Jamme in a remark explained the importance of training children in computer literacy skills and coding and admonished beneficiaries to take a keen interest in the training programme to improve their skills.
She recounted how impactful coding had been to her life adding that her vision was to train about 25,000 boys and girls in the country and about a million girls globally by 2030.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani said the UN was keen to support the digital transformation agenda to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adding that UN agencies were implementing several digital initiatives in support of the national digital agenda across various areas.
“We are keen to promote a variety of initiatives that cover investment in digital infrastructure and economy, digital tools and systems for improved service delivery, digital skills and learning and digital tools and systems for transparency, accountability and good governance,” Mr Abani said.
He commended the government of Ghana for making digital transformation a development priority to bridge the digital gap and enhance its socio-economic development.
“The Ghana CARES (‘Obatampa’) Programme prioritizes digitalization as an enabler to revitalize and transform the economy and accelerate progress towards the Ghana Beyond Aid aspiration. The digitization fast track also aims to increase digital literacy and online education. Most recently, Ghana has identified learning and skills for life, work and sustainable development as a priority for the Transforming Education Summit,” he said.
“Bridging the ICT gap and incorporating digital literacy into community-initiated development projects is critical to advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship and Design (STEAMED) and the continued support and mentorship provided by the Foundation will ensure that benefits of this project do not evaporate with time. We appreciate the contribution of the Foundation, and we hope it inspires other private sector players and partners to contribute to initiatives that transform societies and are catalytic to development. Leveraging such strategic partnerships with multi-sectoral stakeholders is core to meeting all development goals globally,” he added.
The Ashaiman, Ablekuma Central and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipal assemblies also received some of the computers.
