Ghana's STEM education gets major boost as RAIL Robotics distributes Arduino Kits to schools

Kumasi witnessed a significant advancement in artificial intelligence and robotics education as the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) distributed Arduino robotics kits to 22 participating schools and the SHECodes Club across three major technical universities. The handover ceremony, held during a specialized training for mentors and STEM coordinators, marks a crucial step in equipping Ghana's next generation with cutting-edge technological skills. 

Under the leadership of Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, RAIL's Principal Investigator, the initiative directly addresses a critical gap in hands-on learning opportunities identified during previous training sessions. Many educators had reported being limited to passive observation during practical exercises due to equipment shortages. "We could only watch demonstrations before—now our students will actually build and program robots," shared an excited STEM coordinator during the kit distribution. 

Prof. Emmanuel E.A. Frimpong, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at KNUST, challenged recipients to move beyond theoretical knowledge. "These tools must translate into real classroom impact," he urged, warning against the common trend of training programs that fail to yield practical implementation. 

While celebrating this achievement, stakeholders acknowledged ongoing challenges. Many school robotics clubs still struggle with inadequate components, competition funding shortages, and limited technical support. Dr. Eunice Akyereko Adjei, RAIL's Theme Lead for AI in Education, called for expanded partnerships to sustain and grow the initiative, citing current support from international development organizations including AI4D, IDRC, and the French Embassy in Ghana. 

The event also sparked discussions about broadening the program's reach, with participants advocating for inclusion of Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) institutions and potential collaborations with established STEM hubs like Yamoransa Model Labs. This distribution represents more than just equipment—it signifies Ghana's commitment to creating a pipeline of homegrown tech talent capable of competing in the global digital economy. 

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye