Join us for an insightful seminar at CENDLOS, Accra
RecellGhana Computerlabs and CENDLOS extend a warm invitation to Teachers, Headmasters, Education Stakeholders and Employers on the November 29th Seminar. We are excited to bring together individuals passionate about bridging the technology gap in Ghana’s schools and enhancing students’ skills for the digital job market demands.
afiDE Ghana, a social enterprise, offers innovative Computerlabs-as-a-Service to schools across Ghana. This service empowers schools to provide real-time ICT-skills training to their students. In collaboration with us, CENDLOS, the government institute dedicated to promoting technology adoption in education, we aim to drive this mission forward.
This seminar is especially significant as it coincides with the grand inauguration of the Computerlab at CENDLOS. We look forward to your presence, as your insights and support are crucial in shaping the future of education in Ghana.
Your participation will make a difference. Please confirm your attendance by 24th November 2023 via call/WhatsApp on 0535111599 or email info@afide.network
Together, let’s empower our students with the skills needed for the digital age. We can’t wait to see you there!
CENDLOS (Center for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling) and afiDE Ghana (RGC) have signed a collaboration agreement on 25-10-2023, aimed at improving the quality of education through Edtech in Ghana with a primary focus to enhance digital skills of students. The agreement was signed by Nana Gyamfi Adwabour (Executive Director CENDLOS) and Brianna Dika (Startup Leader afiDE Ghana).
The collaboration between CENDLOS and afiDE Ghana is beneficial in several ways. For instance, CENDLOS can leverage afiDE Ghana’ expertise in setting up computer labs to provide students with access to digital learning resources. This will boost Digital Literacy in Ghana. At the same time afiDE Ghana can introduce innovative solutions that will enable students to access digital learning resources from anywhere in the country.
As part of the cooperation, CENDLOS will receive a free Computerlab from afiDE Ghana, which will be inaugurated and demonstrated during the Seminar on ’21st Century Student Skills’ held on 29 November at the CENDLOS location in Accra.
afiDE Ghana is a social enterprise that provides Computerlabs to schools in Ghana. The company’s Computerlabs are equipped with quality equipment and software, internet, and are maintained and updated 24/7.
The benefits of utilizing afiDE Ghana’ Computerlab include:
Enhanced Learning: The Computerlab will provide students with access to a wide range of educational resources, e-books, research tools, and interactive learning activities, creating a more engaging and effective learning environment.
Digital Literacy: By incorporating Computerlabs into the curriculum, students will develop essential digital literacy skills vital in the 21st-century workforce, preparing them for future career opportunities that demand technological proficiency.
Teaching Aid: Computerlabs can serve as valuable tools for teachers, aiding in the creation of interactive lessons, delivery of multimedia content, and more effective assessment of student progress.
By collaborating with afiDE Ghana, CENDLOS aims to bridge the digital divide and provide students with access to quality education, regardless of their location.
For more information about afiDE Ghana, please visit their website at [afide.network].
For more information about CENDLOS, please visit their website at [cendlos.gov.gh]
RGC partners with Educare for Digital Education Delivery
18-10-2023, ACCRA, GHANA – In today’s fast-paced digital era, where artificial intelligence continuously shapes our evolving economy, the acquisition of digital education and skills has become imperative for the education of the current generation, preparing them for adulthood. afiDE Ghana – a social enterprise with service partnership in the Netherlands, has partnered with Quartmani EduCare Partners – an Accra-based education support services organization, to extend the Computerlab-as-a-Service solution from afiDE Ghana to private schools across the Greater Accra and other regions of the country. Schools can now easily implement computer-based education without the need to invest.
Closing the Digital Skills Gap in Collaboration with Schools
This collaborative initiative aims to provide fully-equipped computer labs, complete with internet access and software applications for practical ICT education, to basic and secondary schools that currently lack functional computer labs. This cooperation aims to bridge the digital skills gap between high-fee private schools and their lower-fee counterparts nationwide. As part of this initiative, schools should provide a secure room for one of our Computerlabs. afiDE Ghana installs all computers and network equipment while facilitated by EduCare.
Mr. Kwarteng indicated that: “parents that enroll their children in private schools, have the trust of receiving a higher quality of education, even in low fee-paying schools. I’m thrilled this partnership enables us to extend practical ICT education to schools lacking computer labs, so schools don’t need to invest in computer systems.”
Cooperation for innovation in education
On October 17th, 2023, afiDE Ghana (RGC) and Quartmani EduCare Partners signed a cooperation agreement in Accra. Miss Brianna Dika, the Startup Leader for RGC, and Mr. Adjei Kwarteng-Amaning, the Executive Director of Quartmani EduCare Partners, signed the agreement on behalf of their organizations. “From today onwards, this agreement gives EduCare Partners the right to offer Computerlab-as-a-Service to private schools as part of their services targeted at bringing innovative solutions and empowerment in education and delivering higher value to students and their parents,” said Miss Dika.
Signing Agreement by Mr. Adjei Kwarteng-Amaning and Miss Brianna Dika
Early birds benefit from a 25% discount
Schools that lack computer labs should endeavor to take the necessary steps to enable their schools to benefit from this great initiative. Schools that come onboard before the end of December 2023, stand the chance of benefiting from a 25% discount on their year subscription.
>> Contact Mr. Kwarteng-Amaning at 054 867 4863 directly to take advantage.
Introducing Computerlab-as-a-Service in Ghana
afiDE Ghana (RGC), led by Startup Leader Brianna Dika, is a social enterprise dedicated to narrowing the digital skills gap in schools. The introduction of the Computerlab-as-a-Service solution in Ghana can be attributed to Moses Nana Aidoo. Mr. Aidoo imported this innovative concept from the Netherlands, where it had already been successfully employed in schools for many years. Collaborating with Hanc de Bokx, the founder of 1A Computerlabs, they established this social enterprise in Accra with a mission to empower Ghanaian students with digital skills.
Miss Dika proudly shared her enthusiasm, stating, “I feel proud to be part of a team that is dedicated to empowering schools to make their students computer savvy.” To date, ten Computerlabs have been set up in primary, junior high, and senior high schools, delivering outstanding results. Students have embraced the opportunity to learn and work with computers, and teachers are delighted to finally teach using technology, rather than just teaching about it. This shift has translated into improved Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) scores.
Computerlab-as-a-Service offers a comprehensive package, including the provision of a free-to-use Computerlab, 4G internet access, licensed software, regular monitoring, software updates, maintenance, repair, and replacement services, all without any upfront investment. The annual fee is based on the number of students and can be paid in installments. Building on past experiences, afiDE Ghana plans to introduce training curricula and an ICT teacher helpdesk in 2024. The teacher training program aims to enhance their professional development and enable them to deliver computer-based education effectively.
Ghana in the Digital Age
Picture of one our Computerlabs in use by students
In today’s digital age, digital literacy is paramount, enabling individuals to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for various tasks, including finding, evaluating, creating, and communicating information using digital devices such as computers, mobile phones, and tablets. It is a fundamental skill for success in the digital era.
Although internet access in Ghana has expanded rapidly, reaching nearly 70% of the population, and mobile wallets have become widespread with 40 million users, only 12% of young people aged 15–24 possessed computer skills as of 2020. Digital literacy encompasses not only basic computer applications but also the ability to develop and implement software solutions for government and business organizations. Without ICT skills, future opportunities are limited.
Highlighting the urgency of this issue, Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister, recently emphasized the need to bridge the digital gap and ensure that every student, regardless of their economic circumstances, can benefit from digital and distance learning opportunities. This message serves as a call to action for all sectors and stakeholders in society to recognize the educational challenges and contribute to empowering schools for the future of our children.
The partnership between EduCare Partners and afiDE Ghana is committed to making affordable digital learning solutions accessible to all students, aligning with the vision of an inclusive and digitally empowered education in Ghana.
Primary contact: Mr. Adjei Kwarteng-Amaning, the Executive Director of Quartmani EduCare Partners: email054 867 4863
More on Computerlabs-as-a-Service: Miss Brianna Dika, Startup Leader at afiDE Ghana: email 053 462 8399
JCI Ghana supports afiDE Ghana to offer Free
Computerlabs to Schools
On September 29th, 2023, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ghana and afiDE Ghana announced their collaboration to provide free Computerlabs to schools in Ghana. The primary objective of this partnership is to help schools where children of JCI members go to, raise awareness and funds for digital skills development.
JCI Ghana is a community-based organization of young active citizens aged 18-40 who are engaged and committed to creating an impact in their communities. JCI Ghana recognizes the need to mobilize society to boost the digital skills of students nationwide.
afiDE Ghana is a social enterprise founded by Nana Moses Aidoo (RecellGhana LTD) and Hanc de Bokx (1A Computerlabs) to partner with schools in Ghana to boost the digital skills of students. afiDE Ghana has adopted the Computerlab-as-a-Service model from the co-founder from the Netherlands. This service model includes a fully equipped free Computerlab that can be used as part of the long-term partnership, taking away the need for an investment for a computer lab.
Currently, only 12% of 15-24-year-olds have basic computer skills, according to research by MICS-EAGLE in 2020, which makes it challenging for graduates to find jobs in today’s job market. Especially knowledge-intensive jobs in business, government, and at startups require people with digital skills. To support schools in delivering digital skills education long-term, Computerlabs-as-a-Service includes all services imaginable to deliver modern computer-based education for an affordable fee.
Joint activities to mobilize funding with Schools
Many schools, especially public schools, cannot easily afford the regular service fee to use Computerlab-as-a-Service, which is otherwise quite affordable. To help these schools, JCI Ghana has come forward to mobilize its members. They aim to raise awareness among JCI members about the potential for partnerships between schools and afiDE Ghana to improve computer-based education. The activities will include identifying schools interested in using Computerlabs, developing and executing fundraising programs, and seeking support from businesses, NGOs, churches, communities, families, and other organizations. Additionally, they will help schools raise funds through fundraising or sponsorship approaches.
During their meeting at JCI Ghana headquarters in Accra, the President of JCI and the Executive Director of afiDE Ghana reaffirmed their commitment to helping the current generation of students keep pace with the ever-evolving digital world. To bridge the technology gap in education, society must support schools in gathering resources to make Digital Skills education an integral part of our children’s learning journey.
We’re on a mission to offer children in Ghana the opportunity to develop their ICT skills, which are crucial 21st-century abilities that will help launch Ghana into the digital age.
While the Ghana government, schools, and teachers have worked hard to implement the National ICT curriculum all over the country, there are still years to come before all children can have access to computers to practice what they have learned. In an age where digital literacy is an essential driver for development, two entrepreneurs have taken the initiative to develop a sustainable solution for schools that currently have no computer lab to teach their learners practical ICT skills.
Complete long-term offering for Education
Moses Nana Aidoo from RecellGhana and Hanc de Bokx from 1A Computerlabs in The Netherlands have done their homework in the past years. The newly established social enterprise Computerlabs Ghana LBG, branded afiDE Ghana, does not only offer the computer system with 21 stations needed but also the software, training, and support. Every Computerlab comes with a 5-year Computerlab-as-a-Service contract for internet and maintenance to ensure hassle-free computer-based education for the long term because we all know maintenance in Ghana is a challenge!
Large donor for 40 public schools in the Greater Accra region
The social entrepreneurs that founded Computerlabs Ghana LBG have secured a substantial subsidy from the German Development Organisation (DEG) to install computer labs at 40 schools in the Greater Accra region. Thanks to this subsidy the schools only must find the funds to cover internet fees and maintenance for the 5-year contract. This 5-year assurance of hassle-free computer education only costs from 4 cedi per child per school month (9 months/year). In the first pilot with schools in 2021, it was proven that public schools were able to raise the funds for this 5-year contract through PTA’s, alumni associations, community funds, and/or business sponsors. For public schools in the Greater Accra region without a computer lab and 300-900 learners, it’s time to apply for one of our managed Computerlabs to be installed at your school. Apply fast before we run out!
Looking for more partners
Computerlabs Ghana is looking for partners in Ghana and beyond to make Computerlab-as-a-Service available for as many schools as possible and boost digital literacy in Ghana. If you also want to give children the chance to develop their ICT skills, join forces with Computerlabs Ghana. There are different ways to become part of the solution, for instance; donate working computer equipment, sponsor the school of your children, gather support in your community for computer labs at schools or you may have other ideas that can contribute. Together we can change the future of our children!
About 1A Computerlabs The Netherlands
1A First AlternativeThe Netherlands was founded by Hanc de Bokx in 2001. This specialised ‘Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) company has developed its own technology to automatically manage computer networks remotely. For the education market, it has set up 1A Computerlabs BV to deliver Computerlab-as-a-Service to schools. 1A First Alternative is an ISO 27001 certified, accredited Microsoft Gold partner managing over 600 computer systems in The Netherlands.
