By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY, Agona Nkwanta
Yinson Ghana has made a significant contribution to education by establishing a computer laboratory at the Agona Nkwanta Girls’ Model School in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region.
The well-equipped lab includes desks, chairs, 20 desktop computers, a projector as well as a projector screen. Additionally, Yinson has covered one year of Internet subscription for the benefit of approximately 200 girls within the school and around 1500 students, both male and female, from neighbouring schools in the village.
This initiative aligns with Yinson’s commitment to quality education and its mission to promote gender equality across all the regions where it operates. These resonate with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which Yinson actively supports.
The computer lab, marks Yinson’s third such contribution to the municipality. The company’s vision extends beyond a single school, aiming to establish computer labs throughout the entire municipality. By doing so, Yinson aims to empower students with essential Information Technology skills and foster an interest in STEM-related subjects.
Just like in other communities where Yinson has contributed computer labs, Yinson will arrange quarterly Information Communication Technology (ICT) lessons for teachers within the community. The purpose of these lessons is to equip the ICT teachers with the necessary skills to effectively impart knowledge to the student.
The official handover of the computer lab
Edward Mensah, Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator at Yinson Ghana, said: “Our commitment to education and empowerment has led us to establish a state-of-the-art computer lab. This lab stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to quality education”.
He encouraged management of the school as well as the Educational Directorate to ensure the maintenance of the facility.
Madam Hannah Bessah, Headmistress of the Agona M/A Cluster of Schools, expressed appreciation to Yinson Ghana in making ICT available to the schools.
She called on Yinson and other institutions to support in the construction of a five-unit classroom for the Girls’ Basic School, a modern and befitting canteen, dual desk for the students as well as table and chairs for the teachers to support effective and excellent academic work to take place.
John Agyare, Chief Executive Officer of Ahanta West Municipality, was grateful to Yinson Ghana for the numerous projects it has been undertaking in the area over the years. “Your commitment to the course of education in the Municipality is highly commendable.
“By providing this facility, you are bridging the gap between our children with the needed skills for the future. With technology gradually becoming part of our daily lives, computer is no longer a luxury but a necessity and there is the need to encourage our students to embrace ICT since it has become important for accessing basic services,” he added.
He admonished the students to make use of the facility for educational purposes and urged management of the school to maintain the facility as well as update the computers.
Nana Sekyiwa Darko, Head, Community Relations of the Petroleum Commission (PC), said the project seeks to promote effective learning and training as well as improve the ICT skills of the students, especially the girl-child.
She noted that the relevance of ICT skills in the modern workforce and digital education is paramount to national development. “We therefore challenge the girl-child to attain academic excellence by taking their ICT studies seriously. This can be done through the collaborative effort of both parents and teachers”.
She implored Yinson to roll out STEM initiatives at the Agona Nkwanta Girls’ Model School and also commended Yinson for their continuous support to the development of educational infrastructure in the oil host communities as well as complementing government in addressing the education gap.
Joseph Quarm, Assembly Member for the area, called for maintenance of the facility and for it to be made useful for all the students. He said together with the Municipal Assembly, they will ensure security and protection of the computers.
Nana Ezieku IV, Chief of Agona and Acting President of the Ahanta Traditional Council, praised Yinson Ghana for the facility and encouraged parents to be involved in the education of their children.
