RAIL calls for community support to sustain robotics clubs across Ghana

By:  Robert Kwaku Annor

The Responsible AI Lab has called for stronger community involvement and local resource mobilisation to sustain and expand its Robotics Club Initiative across Ghana and beyond.

Speaking during a programme focused on artificial intelligence and education,  the Director of the Office of Grant and Reserach of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Jerry John Kponyo stressed the need for what he described as an “all-hands-on-deck approach” to ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative.

Prof. Kponyo urged mentors to develop sustainability plans tailored to their schools and communities, including Parent-Teacher Association fundraising drives and awareness campaigns, noting that external funding alone would not be sufficient to maintain the robotics clubs over time.

He emphasized the importance of local ownership, grassroots engagement and community participation in strengthening robotics and AI education initiatives for young learners.

The programme also featured updates on the expansion of RAIL activities beyond Ghana. Sónia Semedo, speaking on behalf of Arlindo Veiga, provided an overview of activities undertaken by the RAIL Robotics Club in Cabo Verde.

According to Semedo, a RAIL Cabo Verde workshop was organized following Dr. Veiga’s visit to Ghana, while representatives from the Women in Technology initiative also travelled to Cabo Verde to strengthen collaboration between institutions.

A panel discussion held during the programme focused on building a collective vision for AI in education that supports teachers, empowers learners and promotes inclusion within Ghana’s education system.

The session was moderated by Theresa-Samuelle Adjaidoo and included contributions from representatives of the Ghana Education Service, Yamoransah Model Lab, CKBS Robotics, Bolga Girls SHS and STEMAIDE Africa.

The event also acknowledged the support of funding partners including the International Development Research Centre, the French Embassy in Ghana, UK International Development and the Artificial Intelligence for Development in Africa initiative.

Organisers further expressed appreciation to collaborating institutions such as the Ghana Education Service and Universidade de Cabo Verde for supporting the programme and contributing to the advancement of AI and robotics education initiatives across the continent.