When Mr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Karim boarded the bus from Tamale to Kumasi last week, he carried with him more than just a suitcase.
He carried the hopes of a region grappling with the challenges of drought, low agricultural productivity, and a widening digital divide.
Mr. Abdul Aziz, a mentor from Tamale Senior High School, was one of 48 mentors selected from across Ghana to participate in the AI4SD In-Person Robotics and AI Training for STEM Educators and Coordinators, held from May 5 to May 9, 2025.
Mr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Karim, a beneficiary of the AI4SD robotics training
The intensive week-long workshop was designed to introduce educators to the world of Artificial Intelligence and robotics with the goal of taking this knowledge back to their schools and communities.
“In our part of the country, artificial intelligence is still a green area, but this training gave us what we need to start something transformative,” he said.
In Ghana’s northern belt, where agriculture is not just a livelihood but a way of life, the integration of AI and robotics could be revolutionary.
For Abdul Aziz, it is not just about coding or programming, it’s about survival.
Mr. Abdul Aziz and some mentors during the STEMAIDE practical session
“Last year, we had serious issues with drought,” he recalled.
“Imagine if we had robots to help with irrigation, or AI tools to predict weather patterns. Our farmers would be better prepared. We’d produce more food, store it better, even market it smarter,” he added.
The training brought together mentors, regional STMIE coordinators, and SHECodes facilitators from all 10 regions of Ghana.
The program was funded by the French Embassy in Ghana and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D).
Each day of the training immersed participants in hands-on sessions with LEGO EV3 robots, microcontrollers, and foundational AI concepts.
Overview of participants during the training session
For many, it was the first time they had ever programmed a robot.
“We learned that robots are not just machines, but smart systems made up of microcontrollers and sensors. They respond to the world around them, and they can be programmed using languages like Python, C++, and Java,” Mr. Abdul Aziz explained.
For educators like Mr. Abdul Aziz, who are passionate about both computing and community, the opportunity to merge modern technology with real-world challenges is personal.
“I am very interested in computing.
This training is not just for us, it’s for our students, our farmers, our future. When we teach, the knowledge spreads,” he noted.
Behind the scenes, organizers and the project leads like Prof. Jerry John Kponyo and Dr. Mrs. Eunice Akyereko Adjei were credited for ensuring smooth coordination, particularly in supporting participants from the northern regions.
Their commitment to inclusivity was not lost on attendees.
“We’re grateful to the project lead for such an initiative.
Dr. Mrs. Eunice made sure everything we needed to be comfortable was provided,” Abdul Aziz said.
As the curtains closed on the training, participants did not leave with mere certificates they left with a mission.
