On 21st February 2025, InspiNest celebrated the successful culmination of our Digital Literacy and IT Entrepreneurship Project, which was run for more than a year in and around Sunyani with our Danish partners, Civil Connections. At the 350-seater auditorium of the Sunyani University of Ghana Distance Learning Center, students from nine senior high and basic schools gathered alongside top officials in education and youth development to engage, share ideas, and draw from their extensive knowledge and experience.
Read about the Digital Literacy and IT Entrepreneurship project here: InspiNest launches one year project on Digital Literacy & IT Entrepreneurship – InspiNest
Students from the four main senior high schools we collaborated with showcased jaw-dropping innovations, such as a virtual classroom with AI integration, a pyrolizer for converting plastics into fuel, a smart trash can, and an air filtration device.
In attendance were the Bono Regional Deputy Director of Education, the Bono Regional Director of the National Youth Authority, the CEO of WAN-Hive Ghana, the Sunyani-West Municipal Director of Education, the head of the Bono Regional Ghana Education Service’s IT Directorate, and a representative from Bono Regional Coordinating Council.
The Bono Regional Deputy Director of Education, Mr. Benjamin Siripi Quartson, in a succinct but profound speech, discussed the tremendous benefits of digital literacy for students and Ghana’s socio-economic advancement.
“The mantra these days has been preparing our youth for the fourth industrial revolution and equipping them with the 21st Century skills. This ability, therefore, is to navigate the digital platforms, critically assess information and leverage technology for economic opportunities. This plan is not a luxury but a necessity for economic development for our youth, the future leaders of Ghana”.
He commended the Digital Literacy and IT Entrepreneurship Project for aligning with the Ghana Education Service’s vision of preparing students for the future. He emphasized that the initiative not only enhances youth employability but also fosters innovation, which is crucial for national development.
In his concluding remarks, he said:
“I also want to commend InspiNest Foundation and its partners for their unwavering commitment to youth empowerment. Your efforts in bridging the digital divide and creating opportunities for young people to harness technology for economic and social advancement deserve the highest commendation”
Madam Lydia Sefa Mawusi, the Bono Regional Director of the National Youth Authority, spoke on the importance of volunteerism and urged students to apply their newly acquired digital skills for the benefit of society.
“It is not just about gaining the knowledge. It is about putting them to use. In fact, what is wisdom? It is the application of the knowledge you have acquired. That’s what makes you a wise person. You can use the knowledge you have gained in our schools, hospitals, clinics, churches and even in our homes. Don’t let anyone call on you first. No! You should have the willing mind and heart to take the initiative.”
The patrons of the established InspiNest hubs at St. James Seminary and SHS, Odumaseman SHS, Sunyani SHS and Don Bosco Technical Institute, led by Reverend Ofori of St. James SHS, extended their appreciation to the InspiNest Foundation when they spoke to the attendees.
He said:
“It’s been said that the illiterates of the 21st century are not those who cannot read and write but they are going to be those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. If I am to narrow it down to where we are currently going, it means that the illiterates of the 21st century are going to be those who cannot be involved in anything technology and, for that matter, know about digital literacy. On the basis of this, we the patrons in the various high schools would want to express our sincerest appreciation to the InspiNest team for your relentless dedication and hard work, and for making sure that these hubs are created in all these senior high schools”
He further advised the students to make good use of the technological devices at their disposal and pledged continued support.
He said:
“If you embrace IT and excel in it, the sky will not be your limit—it cannot hold you. As your patrons, we will provide the guidance you need to explore and innovate. Remember, figures like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg started just like you. The difference is that they seized the opportunities digital literacy offered. We urge you to do the same so that in five years, we may not even recognize the incredible individuals you’ve become.”
InspiNest, together with Civil Connections, made a final donation of GHC1000 to finalize a series of monetary allocations made to each participating school in the course of the project.
The proud project manager and Software Developer, Pambo Fatahi Abubakar, recounted the challenges encountered during the project’s implementation and thanked the students and their patrons for their willingness to learn and dedication, respectively. He promised his unflinching support to the students even as the Digital Literacy and IT Entrepreneurship project formally comes to a close.
