Newmont and the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation have teamed up to launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Smart Lab in Wioso, Ghana, as part of their joint commitment to improving education in underprivileged communities.
The partnership, established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2023, aims to enhance educational opportunities for youth over a three-year period. Newmont has allocated One Million, Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Ghana Cedis towards this initiative, demonstrating their dedication to empowering young people in local areas.
The AI Smart Lab in Wioso is the first of six planned facilities and is set to benefit around 4000 students and teachers from 13 schools in the region. Equipped with cutting-edge technology such as laptops, tablets, projectors, and digital libraries with over 50,000 eBooks, the lab provides a conducive learning environment for both students and educators.
During the lab’s commissioning ceremony, David Johnson, Director of Communications at Newmont, emphasized the importance of developing critical thinking and digital literacy skills among youth. The AI lab aims to spark students’ interest in STEM fields and provide them with the necessary tools to succeed in the 21st century.
Nana Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Board Chairman of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, highlighted the role of education in community development and expressed gratitude for Newmont’s support in establishing the state-of-the-art AI lab. The initiative also focuses on capacity building for teachers to ensure they can effectively leverage technology in the classroom.
As part of their collaborative efforts, Newmont and the Otumfuo Foundation plan to implement similar projects in other communities in the coming year. By bridging the digital divide and nurturing a generation of tech-savvy individuals, the organizations aim to drive inclusive and sustainable development in Ghana.
The establishment of the AI Smart Lab in Wioso represents a significant step towards empowering youth through education and technology, setting the stage for transformative change in under-resourced communities.
