President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned the Yamoransa Model Lab 13 ICT Centre in Damongo, describing the facility as a major boost to government’s STEM and digital education agenda.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Mahama praised the efforts of the Helping Africa Foundation, led by Mr Japhet Ayiku and philanthropist Mr Dan Rose, for partnering to bring the state-of-the-art ICT centre to the Savannah Region.
He recounted how the foundation previously collaborated with the Lordina Foundation to donate critical medical equipment, including incubators, autoclaves, maternity beds and delivery beds, to deprived rural hospitals across the country.
Mahama explained that the Damongo ICT centre project was initiated after discussions with the foundation following the completion of a similar facility in Techiman North.
“They showed me the design and said they wanted to build one, but they wanted me to be the promoter. What you do is you initiate the building, and then they will bring all the equipment that is needed, and so that’s how this Damongo programme was born,” he said.
Mahama noted that the ICT centre aligns perfectly with government’s drive to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education nationwide.
He referenced the recent launch of a B-STEM school in Sawla, saying the new ICT lab would provide students with opportunities to further develop their digital and technological skills.
“The lab has so many features, and I’m also happy that it is what we call a green lab because it’s running on solar energy,” he stated.
According to him, the solar-powered facility would ensure uninterrupted operations and reduce dependence on the national power grid.
Mahama further proposed expanding the initiative through collaboration between district assemblies and the Helping Africa Foundation, where assemblies would provide infrastructure while the foundation supplies technological equipment.
He officially declared the Yamoransa Model Lab 13 ICT Centre in Damongo commissioned.
