Accra, April 01, GNA – The Vodafone Ghana Foundation has equipped 50 young females with skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), to build robots, machines and other valuable items from recycled plastics.
The training held at the Academic City University College, formed part of the corporate social responsibility activities of the Vodafone Ghana staff, dubbed: “Birthday Stars Initiative”.
It was also to commemorate the 2022 ‘International Women’s Month’ and ‘Global Recycle Month’ which fall in March and contribute towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Beneficiaries were from the Academic City University College, University of Ghana, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, Senior High Schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutes, Junior High Schools, and school dropouts.
The items created were plastic bottles water fountains, automatic plastic hand washing basins, plastic bottles made waste bins, car tyre hand washing stations, smart phone control of household electrical appliances (dubbed Landlord deceiver), smart walking sticks and spectacles, and plastic bottled pencil and pen cases.
The rest were 3D Design and print machines for phone cases and other plastic objects, machines for collecting, storing, and washing plastic bottles for sale to companies, plastic made desk for studies, plastic-designed trees, bags, accessories, and another wearable.
Participants were given awards including cash prizes, medals, tablet devices, and trophies under categories such as ‘Most Collaborative Team,’ ‘Most Creative Team,’ ‘Most Eco-Friendly Project,’ and ‘Proactive Leadership Award’.
Reverend Amaris Nana Perbi, the Lead, Vodafone Ghana Foundation, expressed satisfaction with making the young ladies construct tremendous things they had no knowledge and idea of just within three days.
He expressed optimism that initiative would support the beneficiaries to earn a living by building their own companies and creating their own initiatives and material.
He said Vodafone Ghana was collating data on the output of beneficiaries and was planning to offer most of them internship opportunities and recruit others as Graduate Executives at the telecom company.
Dr Lucy Agyepong, Dean of Engineering, Academic City University College, expressed contentment that the University partnered Vodafone to train the ladies, as it only reflected the experiential mode of training of the University.
“The beautiful thing is, we had all types of people at one place including multi-talented people that can and cannot see, hear or cannot hear to come up with innovative solutions for our country and I couldn’t be more proud,” she said.
She commended her students for winning the Most Creative Team Award and implored them to inspire girls at the primary and second cycle educational institutions to entire STEM related fields.
Dr Joyce Rosalind Aryee, the Board Chairperson, Vodafone Ghana Foundation, the Board Chairperson, Vodafone Ghana Foundation, directed the ladies to seek partnership and support from the media, government, and nongovernmental organisations to project their works and produce more improved ones for the market.
Mrs Victoria Osei Mensah, the Director, Africa STEM Disability Inclusion Foundation, said it was necessary to bridge the gap between Persons with Disability and STEM, hence commended Vodafone Ghana Foundation for the initiative and partnership.
“We believe STEM education and recycling is the gateway to Ghana and Africa, contributing enormously to its future. It reduces unemployment, preserves the environment, and promotes sustainability in the field of work,” she added.
Ms Eugenia Asante, the leader of the winning team – “Te-Preneurs”, expressed gratitude to Vodafone Ghana Foundation and its partners for giving her the skills and knowledge to construct gadgets she had no idea of.
“I love creating so if I’m given more opportunities, I won’t hesitate to broaden my knowledge to create more things,” she added.
The Birthday Stars Initiative brings together staff of Vodafone Ghana to contribute in kind and kind with support the company to touch lives in many ways. The month of March brought together Vodafone staff and known persons like Tracy Owusu Addo, an Entrepreneur, and Koby Kyei, a Blogger to celebrate the day with the trainees.
GNA