Not long ago, I found myself in a small community in the Eastern Region of Ghana, sitting under a mango tree with a group of curious JHS students.
One girl, Adwoa, raised her hand and asked me, “Sir, can I also become a software engineer even if we don’t have a computer lab in our school?”
Her question hit me hard. Not because I didn’t have an answer, but because it reminded me of how unequal access to technology is quietly deciding the future of millions of young Ghanaians.
Let’s be real: in today’s world, digital access is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. And in education, it’s fast becoming the new currency of equity.
The Promise — and the Problem
We all agree that education is the great equalizer. It’s the engine that powers social mobility and builds better futures. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Without equitable access to technology, education can also become the great divider.
According to UNESCO (2023), nearly 89percent of learners in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to household computers, and 82percent are without internet access at home.
Ghana reflects this reality. While some urban schools have smartboards and Wi-Fi, many rural schools still struggle with chalk and broken desks. How can we talk about digital literacy, coding, or AI when the digital divide remains this wide?
But here’s where Edtech — when implemented intentionally — becomes a powerful equalizer.
Tech-enabled learning: a tool for inclusion
Tech-enabled learning means more than just watching YouTube videos or attending Zoom classes. It’s about leveraging technology to ensure every child, regardless of background or location, has a fair shot at quality learning.
In Ghana and across Africa, we’re seeing glimmers of this vision:
- iBox (Ghana Education Service) – Solar-powered digital content boxes in schools with limited internet access. Students can learn offline using curated materials aligned with the national curriculum.
- eCampus – An AI-powered platform helping students, especially SHS and tertiary learners, identify their weak areas and improve through personalized content.
- M-Shule (Kenya) – Delivers learning content via SMS, making digital learning possible even without smartphones.
These are more than innovations — they’re lifelines. They show that we can reach Adwoa and thousands like her — if we are deliberate.
Education’s true purpose: building a society worthy of its people
As we chase after gadgets and gigabytes, let’s not forget why we educate in the first place. The goal isn’t just to pass exams or earn degrees.
The true purpose of education is to birth a society we are proud of — A society filled with capable, competent, audacious, empathetic, and patriotic citizens. Tech-enabled learning is powerful, yes. But it must be driven by human-centered values.
- It must empower a girl in Tamale to dream of becoming a robotics engineer.
- It must enable a boy in Cape Coast to learn digital storytelling and become a global creative.
- It must equip learners with the tools not just to succeed, but to build — for Ghana, for Africa, for the world.
When technology is used to serve these higher goals, then it becomes the true currency of educational equity.
Practical steps to make this a reality
If we truly believe that education should build the future we desire, then here’s what we must do:
- Invest in infrastructure that reaches the margins – We need more solar-powered devices, community Wi-Fi centers, and affordable data plans to reach underserved communities.
- Train teachers for the digital age – A laptop in the classroom means little if the teacher isn’t confident using it. Let’s empower our educators through regular, practical digital literacy training.
- Design Edtech for context, not just for trend – Let’s build solutions that work for our people, our culture, our connectivity levels. We need more audio-based, offline-capable, multilingual Edtech tools.
- Champion digital inclusion as national policy – Edtech must move beyond pilot projects and become embedded in education policy. We need bold leadership that treats digital inclusion as a right, not a privilege.
Conclusion: We can’t afford to miss this moment
Adwoa’s question still lingers with me — and maybe now with you too. Can she become a software engineer? Yes. But only if we act. Technology, when used with purpose and heart, can level the playing field.
It can give every Ghanaian child a fair shot at success — and give Ghana the human capital it needs to thrive in this century. So, as we embrace Edtech, let’s remember: It’s not just about keeping up with the world — It’s about building the kind of world we want to live in. And it all starts with access, with intention, and with the belief that every child matters.
Tech-enabled learning is the new currency of equity — let’s invest wisely.
Watch out for our next article as we explore the role of local Edtech innovators in building inclusive learning solutions for Ghana and beyond.
>>>the writer is President of Ghana Edtech Alliance. He can be reached via [email protected]
