Photo: The Overlord Chief of Tamale, Northern Ghana, Nyeb Dakpema (left in chair) in conversation with Pim De Bokx (squatting) / © GIFEC / PAMEPI
PAMEPI Women in Tech Ghana, in collaboration with ComputerLab Ghana and the Kangme Yiri Foundation, launched the “ComputerLabs Ghana Demo Pilot Project” at the Business Senior High School (BISCO) in Tamale, Ghana, in a landmark step toward digital equity.
Valued at over €1.5 million, this ambitious initiative aims to install more than 2,100 computers across schools in Ghana’s Northern, Savannah, and Upper West Regions, impacting over 31,000 students and bridging the digital divide in underserved communities.
The launch marked the start of Phase One with €300,000 in infrastructure and computer labs installed at BISCO. The facility features 50 high-speed desktop systems with LED monitors, 4G internet connectivity, Ghana Education Service-approved educational software, teacher training programs, and regular maintenance support.
PAMEPI Women in Tech Ghana, a cornerstone of the Paabinaa Meriga Peace Initiative (PAMEPI), is dedicated to closing gender and regional gaps in digital literacy. With 17 student chapters across Ghanaian universities and partnerships with RWTH Aachen University, AmaliTech, and the Swiss Embassy in Ghana, PAMEPI is redefining tech education.
Empowering underserved communities
The launch was attended by traditional leaders, government officials, and educators. This includes the Overlord Chief of Tamale, Nyeb Dakpema, and the Tamale Traditional Council who attended the event with a rich cultural display, adding a blend of tradition.
As stated by PAMEPI, the ComputerLabs Project will address the need for functional Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in rural areas, aiming to renovate ICT rooms, train teachers, and provide sustained technical support.
“We have seen teachers using stones to explain what a computer mouse is. No more. This lab is not just furniture and screens — it is a bridge to dignity and dreams,” said Chief Fuseini Yakubu, Executive Director of PAMEPI Women in Tech Ghana and Songsim Naa of Tamale in his speech.
The ceremony, hosted by BISCO’s headmaster, was described as “a dream come true,” by the headmaster. He also called for additional computer rooms to accommodate the school’s growing student population.
Mr. Pim de Bokx, General Manager of ComputerLab Ghana, outlined the project’s evolution from its origins in Greater Accra. He highlighted a nationwide challenge, which is the lack of sustained technical support for school computer labs, which restricts effective ICT education.
“The Tamale launch is a pivotal milestone,” he noted, crediting his collaboration with PAMEPI and Kangme Yiri Foundation and pledging long-term technical support.
Support from GIFEC and educators
CEO of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Dr. Sofo Tanko Rashid delivered a keynote address to the excitement of the crowd, earning him the nickname “Mr. Computer.” He aligned the project with President John Dramani Mahama’s One Million Coders Vision, pledging 20 new laptops to BISCO to support the initiative.
The Representative of the Regional Director of Education praised the initiative as a model for policy-aligned innovation, urging its expansion to other districts. The BISCO Board Chairman called the lab “a generational leap,” while the PTA Chairman encouraged parents to safeguard the investment for lasting impact.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by the Overlord Chief of Tamale, Dr. Rashid, and project partners, marked a historic moment. Guests toured the modern facility, engaging with students and capturing the event’s significance.
PAMEPI Women in Tech Ghana, ComputerLab Ghana, and Kangme Yiri Foundation indicated that they would continue to rally schools across the Northern, Savannah, and Upper West Regions to join their digital revolution. The initiative according to the group is set to transform Ghana’s education, and empower a new generation of tech-savvy leaders.
Written by Abeeb Lekan Sodiq.
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He’s as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
