Kojo Graham
Chairman of VASINtel, an Information Technology (IT) oriented organisation and a licensed Value Added Service Provider, Kojo Graham, has called for the use of technology and coding to build and sustain a strong economy.
Awarding attendance certificates to about 19 students of the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT who had successfully completed a three-day training in Physical Computing and Coding, he explained that the idea is to introduce digital curriculum into the mainstream curriculum.
He said the Akufo-Addo-led administration, as part of its vision to bring economic development to the people and make Ghana a financial hub, has commenced a couple if initiatives such as the Digital Addressing System, Paperless Port, Ghana Card, Tax Stamp, among others.
Coding is basically converting the words of a message into a code so as to convey meaning. Coding is what makes it possible to create computer software, apps, Operating System (OS), websites.
Physical computing is connecting the software to external devices like LEDs or censors by programming them with a code.
The students, through the guidance of their tutors, used the Raspberry Pi which is a single board computer and tiny in size.
And at the end, the students developed ideas like the “motion sensor” which is connected to the Raspberry Pi that detects movement in room. It then sends a signal to turn a camera on for picture taking.
Mr Graham, who commended the students, mentioned that through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) they seek to commercialise the noble ideas of the students.
“It’s a pioneering experience for both students and sponsors…hence VASINtel as a PPP will create platforms and give them exposure to develop their talents. And that their ideas can be commercialised in different ways.”
The tutors, Eric Longdon and Shelly Thompson, who are Co-Chairs of Stepping Stone Network, explained that the students could use their work as basis and develop themselves into bigger assets.
Mr. Longdon pointed out that they at Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT intend to bring physical computing and coding into mainstream curriculum.
Ms Shelly Thompson, who was the main architect, remarked that the motion sensors developed can be used for alarms in our homes and offices and connect them to our cellular phones.
The students also expressed their delight over the innovations and called for the state and institutions to make use of their projects.