Ghana Program Teaches 500 Girls to Code and Build Robots

Five hundred young students in rural Ghana are learning to build robots and write computer programs, giving them skills that once seemed out of reach in their communities.

Telecel Ghana Foundation launched its third Digitech Academy cohort in January 2026, bringing hands-on technology training to 19 schools across five regions. The 12-week after-school program teaches upper primary and junior high students electronics, programming, and robotics in areas far from Ghana's major cities.

Students learn to build circuits, write basic code, and design functional robots they program themselves. The curriculum complements Ghana's national education standards while giving kids practical skills they can use anywhere in the world.

"I'm excited about this life-changing learning experience because I want to learn how to code and create my own game," said Francisca, a student at Peki Adzokoe Junior High School in the Volta Region.

The program deliberately reserves 70% of training spots for girls, tackling the gender gap in technology fields head-on. This strategy addresses longstanding barriers that have kept girls out of STEM education and careers.

Local partners Asustem Robotics and the Mingo Foundation lead weekly in-person sessions where students work on real projects. Every participant earns a certificate, with medals awarded to top performers.

The Ripple Effect

The program's rapid growth shows how hungry students are for these opportunities. What started with just 50 students in the pilot phase reached 700 students across six regions in the first full cohort.

The second cohort expanded to 1,041 students from 47 schools in 10 regions. Now the third cohort continues that momentum, targeting areas that rarely see technology education programs.

"Access to digital skills should not depend on location or socioeconomic background," said Komla Buami, External Affairs Director at Telecel Ghana. The foundation partners with Ghana Education Service and the Ghana STEM Centre to ensure the program aligns with national goals.

Mrs. Olivia Serwaa Opare from the National STEM Centre emphasized the program's importance: "To truly empower our youth and prepare them for a competitive global market, we must ensure that they do not just use technology but understand and master it."

The initiative supports Ghana's broader digital transformation while proving that rural students can compete globally when given the right tools and training.