Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation collaborates with Newmont Ghana to build Artificial Intelligence Center at Kona

The Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation in collaboration with Newmont Ghana have commissioned an artificial intelligence Center at Kona in the Sekyere South District of the Ashanti Region.

The cutting-edge Smart Lab is the second of six labs expected to be opened by the two outfits across the country with the first one already opened at Wioso.

The AI center at Kona will directly benefit thousands of students and tens of certified teachers from clusters of basic schools in Kona and surrounding communities, comprising primary, junior, and senior high schools.

Launched on Thursday, May 2, 2024, the ultramodern lab marks a significant milestone in the development of AI technology in the Ashanti Region.

Commissioning the lab in a colourful ceremony, the Executive Director for Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nana Afua Kobi Prempeh noted that, the initiative marks the realization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the two entities to collaborate and provide interventions in the education sector for under-resourced communities.

She commended Newmont Ghana for committing almost two million Ghana cedis towards the initiative, emphasizing the company's dedication to transforming lives by providing a platform for students in deprived areas to get knowledge in modern technology.

Nana Afua Kobi Prempeh revealed that one of the primary goals of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was to support innovation in Ghana's education sector and provide students with the tools and resources needed for effective learning.

"We at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation are particularly excited about the opportunities this lab will create for students, researchers and the communities, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on society," she said.

The lab is designed and managed by one of Ghana’s prominent innovation centre, Coral Reef Innovation Hub.

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the Smart Lab boasts laptop computers, tablets, projectors, smart charging units, robot and electronic kits, and virtual libraries housing approximately 50,000 eBooks. This comprehensive setup aims to create a dynamic learning environment, facilitating digital access and interaction for both learners and educators.