AfriKids IT Academy

The aim of the AfriKids Academy is to increase the IT skills base of school children and adults across the greater Bolgatanga district with the aim of widening choice and opportunities in employment and business development for the local economy.

The project’s roots go back to 2005 when AfriKids was offered the chance to be a beneficiary of a ‘school in a box’ scheme. Rather than receive a shipment containing all the materials needed to establish a school, as the scheme normally offered, AfriKids Ghana requested IT equipment to establish a small academy which would offer free education to local school children. The Academy was established by, managed by and the lessons taught by Sebastian Ayaaba, AfriKids Ghana’s second employee and the town’s local IT expert. Since then it has been extended, full time staff employed and the equipment upgraded as well as secretarial services developed which generate a small income for the Academy which is used to help cover running costs.

IT has become an examinable part of the Ghana Education Service syllabus and entry into higher education and professional fields of work, which is feasible for an increasing number of local young people, is impossible without IT skills. However, few schools have electricity, let alone IT equipment or trained teachers. The AfriKids Academy is addressing this clear need in a very simple and professional way; teaching all middle school leavers and training their teachers for free. It has developed a reputation for excellent teaching and is widening the horizons for hundreds of local people every year.