The MTN Foundation has commissioned a GHC2,280,489m state-of-the-art robotics and ICT laboratory at the Mamfe Methodist Girls Senior High School in the Eastern Region.

The 100-seater capacity, fully-furnished center was handed over for use by MEGHIS and other sister schools where coding activities and artificial intelligence research will be facilitated.

The center is equipped for robotics training and practice and a research room and equipped with computers, robotics equipment, furniture, and internet access and anticipated to serve as a training and learning hub for young people to explore, experiment, and innovate through hands-on experience.

The students will have the opportunity to engage in brainstorming, designing, and building activities through 3D printer-making - aimed at enhancing advanced design skills and STEM projects.

Handing over the facility, Mr. Selorm Adadevor, the immediate past Chief-Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana noted that MEGHIS’ extraordinary successes chalked by the students in STEM and robotics encouraged the Company to undertake the project in the school.

“MTN Ghana Foundation’s decision to build this robotics center for the school as part of MTN’s 25th-anniversary celebrations was motivated by the unprecedented accomplishments of the students of the Mamfe Methodist Girls Senior High School in STEM and robotics,” he said.

“Having been crowned title champions of the world robotic competition surpassing 5000 teams worldwide, you have challenged the widely held notion that STEM is widely for boys.

These successes have demonstrated that girls can equally excel in STEM with the appropriate guidance, training, and course environment,” he said.
Deputy Education Minister, Rev John Ntim Fordjour encouraged the students to take full advantage of the opportunities that come with the facility.

The Minister, praising the partnership between the MTN Ghana Foundation and the Ministry of Education, extolled the investment in digital skills training initiatives and reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing STEM education and equipping students with the necessary skills.

On his part, Mamfehene and Kyidomhene of the Akuapim Traditional Area, Osabarima Nana Ansah Sasraku though grateful to MTN for the gesture however appealed to the telecommunication giants to provide solar panels for use by the facility to ensure uninterrupted and inexpensive supply of power required for the operations of the center.

Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Winifred Siebu Arthur while expressing her genuine gratitude to MTN for the gesture disclosed that the Mamfe Methodist Girls Senior High School had been selected to run robotics and engineering as subjects in the new curriculum.

On her part, the Board Chairman for MTN Ghana Foundation, Professor Franklyn Manu echoed the Foundation’s promise to bridge the digital skills gap through such impactful initiatives as the Robotics Centre and the Digital Skills Academy through 75% budget allocation for this objective.

Maame Akua Nkrumah Arko, Public Relations Officer for Methodist Girls SHS Robotics Clubs lauded the new facility stating it will resolve challenges faced in their old robotics laboratory.

The PRO pleaded with the government to offer scholarships to students interested in studying robotics to enable them to pursue higher education about their interest to help them build the digital future of Ghana.