Telecel Ashanti codes programme: First cohort of 25 pupils graduate in Obuasi
Telecel Ghana has celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of 25 pupils from its Ashanti Codes programme in Obuasi, marking a significant step in its commitment to developing digital and robotics skills among youth in the Ashanti region.
The four-week training programme, launched as part of Telecel Ghana’s annual Ashanti Month celebration, equipped students from basic schools in Obuasi and surrounding communities with coding and robotics skills. The initiative aims to prepare young people for the digital age by providing hands-on experience in creating robotic prototypes and solving societal challenges through technology.
At an exhibition event in Obuasi, the graduates showcased various robotic prototypes they developed during the programme, demonstrating their ability to apply learned skills to real-world problems. The initiative is part of Telecel Ghana’s broader goal to equip over one thousand young persons in the Ashanti region with digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) skills.
Speaking at the event, Executive Head of Telecel Ghana for Ashanti and Bono regions, Kwaku Asiedu, emphasized that the programme complements the government’s ‘One Million Coders’ agenda. He noted that as technology becomes increasingly central to advancement, youth need to be well-versed in digital tools to succeed.
In collaboration with AngloGold Ashanti, over one hundred students in Obuasi are expected to benefit from the programme before the end of the year. Social Development and Gender Superintendent at AGA, Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei, highlighted the mining company’s commitment to partnerships that drive socioeconomic development, citing their 10-year socioeconomic development programme that upholds STEM as a pillar.
Participants expressed optimism about their future in STEM education, anticipating that the skills acquired will enable them to contribute to various disciplines and proffer solutions to societal challenges. The Ashanti Codes programme represents a model of corporate-community partnership aimed at fostering innovation and inclusivity in Ghana’s growing tech landscape.
As Ghana continues to position itself as a hub for technological innovation in West Africa, initiatives like Ashanti Codes play a crucial role in bridging the skills gap and empowering the next generation of tech leaders. The programme’s success in Obuasi underscores the potential for scalable impact when private sector resources align with public educational goals.
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