The programme, which is to be implemented with KOICA’s first batch of project team volunteers, is geared towards strengthen­ing ICT accessibility and usage while building a sustainable ICT community through improved infrastructure and professional training.

Estimated at $1.17 million, the initiative would be implemented in five phases and would involve the deployment of approximately 60 volunteers by the end of it.

Key components of the project included the refurbishment of ICT laboratories, training teachers in all 16 schools, and providing after-school ICT education.

The programme is also in­tended to establish Professional Learning Communities (PLC) where teachers can collaborate on ICT and other subjects, ensuring continuous growth and develop­ment.

Speaking at the kick-off ceremony yesterday, the KOICA Country Director, Mr Dong Hyun Lee, emphasised the critical role of ICT in economic growth and national development.

Reflecting on Korea’s own experience in the 1990s, he noted how the country’s strategic inte­gration of ICT into its education­al system laid the foundation for its current success.

“Today, Korea’s ICT sector contributes $224 billion in exports and employs over 1.7 million people,” he revealed.

Mr Lee stated that Korea’s development journey, supported by foreign aid, has inspired the nation’s commitment to giving back by sharing expertise with developing countries like Ghana.

He highlighted Ghana’s poten­tial to bridge its ICT education gap through this collaborative effort, expressing hope that the project would foster long-term positive impacts by empowering local communities and building self-sufficiency.

“The first batch of volunteers have been grouped into three teams to ensure the project’s successful implementation,” he noted.

Mr Lee further stressed the importance of sustainability, cultural respect, and community collaboration, underscoring the volunteers’ responsibility to work closely with local stakeholders and avoid negative impacts.

“Through this approach, KOI­CA aims to create lasting change by equipping teachers with mod­ern skills and providing students with practical ICT experience, preparing them for future oppor­tunities in the digital economy,” he elaborated.

The Eastern Regional Educa­tion Director, Mrs Ivy Asantewaa Owusu, also expressed her grati­tude to KOICA and the volunteer team for choosing the Eastern Region as the focus of the trans­formative project.

She highlighted the growing importance of Science, Technolo­gy, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, emphasising the need to prioritise these fields for both individual and national development.

Mrs Owusu encouraged school heads and teachers from the par­ticipating schools to fully embrace the training opportunities offered by KOICA.

She urged them to actively par­ticipate and collaborate, ensuring the successful implementation of the programme and the long-term sustainability of its benefits.

Moreover, she stated that the partnership between KOICA and the Eastern Region’s educational sector stood a promising step toward empowering the next generation of Ghanaian students with essential ICT skills.

She said by enhancing in­frastructure, providing quality training, and fostering a collabo­rative learning environment, the initiative would drive innovation and growth, paving the way for a brighter digital future.