Ghana School Launches AI Innovation Center for Students

A school in Ghana just took a bold step toward making sure its students are ready for the future, even the parts we can't predict yet.

Ghana International School and Coral Reef Innovation Africa signed an agreement to create the GIS-Coral Reef Innovation Center of Excellence, a dedicated space where students will learn artificial intelligence, digital skills, and entrepreneurship. The five-year partnership combines the school's track record in education with Coral Reef's expertise in building innovation programs across Africa.

The center will roll out in phases, starting with advanced AI courses for students and modern teaching training for educators. Students will also participate in a national entrepreneurship competition that connects them with real business challenges, giving them hands-on experience before they graduate.

Dr. Mary Ashun, CEO of Ghana International School, explained that the school wants to do more than teach what's already known. "Our responsibility is not only to teach what is known, but to prepare our students for what has not yet been created," she said. The center will make innovation a core part of how students learn, not just an occasional activity.

Richard Osei-Anim, CEO of Coral Reef Innovation Africa, called the partnership a complete reimagining of education. "We are not introducing a programme; we are installing a future-ready operating system for learning," he said. He believes Africa's future competitiveness depends on what happens in its schools today.

The Ripple Effect

The impact won't stop at one school. Ghana International School and Coral Reef plan to develop an open-source toolkit that any school in Africa can use to start their own innovation center. The partners will also work together to raise funds that bring these programs to underserved communities.

The center will include a dedicated Innovation Lab for Technology and Entrepreneurship where students can turn ideas into real projects. Teachers will receive "Educator 4.0" training to help them guide students through this new way of learning.

Both organizations will share ownership of everything they create together, ensuring the model can grow responsibly beyond this one school. The partnership aims to strengthen connections between education and industry, creating pathways for students to move from classroom learning to real-world careers.

This center represents a shift from preparing students for existing jobs to empowering them to create the jobs of tomorrow.