Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Scientist and Academic, has emphasized the significant impact of the Yamoransa Model in improving students’ academic performance, particularly at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) level.
Speaking at the opening of “The Annual Impact Roundtable Discussion and Robotics Competition” (AIRTAD 2025) in Accra on February 25, 2025, she noted that students who have access to ICT-equipped learning labs perform notably better than their peers due to the practical lessons these labs provide.
“What we are hearing is that research shows young people with access to these labs are excelling at the BECE level compared to those without, because they benefit from hands-on learning experiences,” she stated. However, she acknowledged the high cost of setting up such facilities as a major challenge.
Prof. Kaufmann, Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, called for collaborative efforts to bridge Africa’s technical skills gap by strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) education.
She cited a 2023 World Bank report estimating that Sub-Saharan Africa requires 2.5 million engineers to address developmental challenges and stressed the urgency of equipping young people with the necessary skills to drive change.
AIRTAD 2025 was to celebrate and evaluate the progress of the “Yamoransa Model Labs Programme,” an initiative dedicated to advancing STEAM education across Africa.
The Model Labs, according to officials, “offerred solar-powered ICT centres equipped with educational content and multimedia, a space for robotics, AR/VR learning, and 3D Printing,” in selected communities.
The facility is funded by the Helping Africa Foundation (HAF), in partnership with the Ministry of Education in countries where the labs are situated.
The two-day conference, organised by Implementers, a non-profit project management organisation, and Helping Africa Foundation, was themed: “The Yamoransa Model Impact Year: Scaling the Successes of Bridging Educational Gaps with Technology.”
Prof. Kaufmann commended both organisations for their effort in empowering underprivileged communities in STEAM education.
“AIRTAD is not just a celebration of speeches or discussion of innovation…I employ you all to see into the great future of STEAM education in Africa…to create solutions that satisfy and sustain humanity.
“The success of the Yamoransa Model Labs is a pathway to showcase innovation and talents on the global stage in order to attract investors and accelerate progress towards Africa’s development,” she noted.
Dr. Deborah Rose, President, Helping Africa Foundation, said the event was to lay the foundation for “further expansion and strategic partnerships” for the Yamoransa Model Lab Programme in sub-Saharan Africa.
“More than a celebration, this event is a rallying call to transform education in Africa- fostering inclusive, technology-driven learning environments that ensure no child is left behind,” she said.
Kafui Prebbie, Chief Executive Officer, Implementers, said 13 Model Labs had been completed at various locations in Ghana, with two other centres yet to be established.
The technology centres, he explained, included an offline learning tool called “Asanka,” which helped teachers and students to study effectively.
He said the project had impacted over 55,000 pupils in the selected areas, with 100,000 more pupils targeted in the years ahead.
Prebbie said the organisation would continue to impact communities and support the government’s vision of providing technology education.
Key highlight of AIRTAD 2025 was the robotics competition, where students demonstrated proficiency in coding, engineering, and problem-solving. It also featured projects developed within the Yamoransa Model Labs.
Since 2016, the Yamoransa Model Labs Programme, established by the social development non-profit organisation IMPLEMENTERS in collaboration with the Helping Africa Foundation.
The programme has been instrumental in setting up ICT centres and delivering critical STEAM skills to over 100,000 students across 13 completed labs in Ghana.
With a mission to establish STEAM facilities in all 16 regions of Ghana and beyond, the initiative continues to make a significant impact.
As February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM, Ghana celebrates its progress in STEAM education while acknowledging ongoing challenges.
A key highlight of this celebration is the Annual Impact Roundtable Discussion (AIRTAD) & Robotics Competition 2025, which showcases the continuous impact of the Yamoransa Model Labs Programme.
AIRTAD serves as a flagship platform to assess the successes of the Yamoransa Model Labs while celebrating the creativity and innovations of young minds in STEAM.
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