Siemens Proprietary Limited (Ghana), subsidiary of global engineering giant Siemens, has entered into an agreement with Sekondi College (SEKCO), in the Western Region, to support the school with science and computer infrastructure and resources. The agreement was signed by the Country Manager of Siemens Ghana Mr. Edmund Acheampong and the Headmaster of Sekondi College Mr. Francis Rexford Sam.
This follows Siemens visit to Sekondi College earlier in February 2017, to assess the school’s science and ICT needs. “We began discussions earlier in February when we expressed our interest to support Sekondi College. I am glad we have signed the Agreement today to fulfil that promise. It is important to us at Siemens to stand by our word,” Mr. Acheampong said.
Details of the MoA
Under the agreement, Siemens will focus on three key areas: donation of science experiment kits, renovation and refurbishment of ICT laboratory including the supply of computers for students from SHS1 to SHS3.
Mr. Acheampong said Siemens was happy to partner with the school because of the priority given to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, particularly the enrollment of more female students into these programmes.
Supporting STEM education sits with our Grow Africa strategy where we are actively driving Africa’s technology and skills revolution through capacity building, long-term skills and knowledge transfer.
“Siemens is careful to leave lasting footprints wherever we do business by investing in the communities that support our business. We believe that investing in the education of these students in this community will empower them at the individual level and also to participate in industry using skills that they acquire from school,” he said.
Mr. Acheampong added that teachers from Sekondi College would undertake a training course as part of Siemens localization programme to give the teachers a holistic view of technology for the future in order to effectively pass it on to students and the next generation of science and engineering enthusiasts.
The support package also comes with opportunities for an Exchange Program between students of Sekondi College (SEKCO) and other partner schools in South Africa. “This training scheme is to help expose the students to learn and embrace other cultures,” Mr. Acheampong added.
Long term relationship
Mr. Edmund Acheampong said he was hopeful that the relationship with Sekondi College would be a long term one, noting that “The signing of this MoA is the beginning of a strong relationship we hope will endure. We look forward to a potentially rewarding relationship that will not only benefit the students and staff of Sekondi College but also the Sekondi community and contribute to the prosperity of Ghana as a whole.”
He however urged the management and students to ensure the science experimental kits and the ICT laboratory are maintained always and in good operating condition.
Headmaster of the school, Mr. Francis Rexford Sam, expressed his gratitude to Siemens for the intervention and massive support. He affirmed the College’s commitment to delivering on their part of the agreement, Sekondi College would provide the needed cooperation to ensure the project is successfully implemented. He also gave the assurance of keeping the equipment and facilities in good condition.
