FOA expands starlink initiative to boost learning and opportunities in Ketu South

Friends of Adaklu (FOA), a not-for-profit organisation based in the Adaklu District of the Volta Region, has extended its digital learning initiative to coastal communities in the Ketu South Municipality with the donation and installation of 12 Starlink internet devices in selected schools.

The project, funded under the Starlink for Good initiative with support from Our Future Prize, is aimed at improving internet connectivity in underserved coastal communities and connecting learners to global educational resources. The intervention builds on similar efforts by Friends of Adaklu in the Volta and Oti Regions where over a dozen schools have already benefited from high-speed internet installations and digital learning programmes.

Mr Chrisly Dann Devine, Executive Director of NetWorld Creative Technology and lead engineer on the project revealed that under the initiative, each beneficiary school is equipped with a Starlink device, installation support and a one-year data package of up to one terabyte of high-speed internet.

He added that the devices, which operate at speeds of up to 150 Mbps, are capable of supporting about 100 users simultaneously, making them suitable for both classroom instruction and community access.

Madam Stella Kudah, Country Director of FOA, said the intervention is designed to ensure that children in coastal communities are not left behind in the rapidly evolving digital world. She explained that the project seeks to expose learners to the same educational opportunities available to their counterparts in other parts of the world.

As part of the programme, students and community members will have access to Learning Upgrade, an online platform that offers lessons in English, Maths, Digital Skills, Entrepreneurial Skills among others. The platform uses interactive tools such as songs, videos, games and quizzes to enhance learning and awards certificates upon completion of courses.

The Project Manager of “The Sea Works at Night” project, Miss Roberta Donkor was excited for the inclusion of Agavedzi, Amutinu and Salakorpe schools in the Starlink Internet Connectivity project. Miss Donkor said the destruction of the community's source of livelihood by the tidal waves has made life difficult for community members. She believes the internet connectivity will open opportunities for the students and community members to start life all over again.

Mr Robert Tornu, Programmes and Policy Advisor of FOA noted that the initiative has already recorded positive outcomes in communities where it has been implemented, particularly in the Adaklu District. He said students who actively used the Learning Upgrade platform showed improvement in their academic performance.

He added that beyond improving academic performance, the project is also expected to create economic opportunities within the beneficiary communities. With the installation of internet devices in accessible locations, community members, including women engaged in fish processing and trading, can acquire digital and entrepreneurship skills through the Learning Upgrade platform and other online resources.

Mr Tornu emphasised the importance of reliable internet access in today’s ICT-driven environment, noting that the technology would significantly enhance teaching and learning.

He explained that the high-speed connectivity would allow both teachers and students to access a wide range of online educational materials, conduct research and engage in digital learning without interruption.

The Member of Parliament for Ketu South and Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, who was present during the exercise, commended FOA for the intervention, describing it as a significant contribution to the development of education in the municipality. She noted that such initiatives complement the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and learning outcomes in deprived communities.

She disclosed that, in support of the project, she facilitated the provision of 50 computers to 10 beneficiary schools with support from her banking partners and is working to secure additional computers to expand access.

Hon. Gomashie urged school authorities and community members to make proper use of the devices and maintain them well to ensure sustainability and attract further support.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Ketu South, Hon. Nicholas Kwabla Worclachie, welcomed the intervention and stressed the need for communities to take ownership of the project to ensure its long-term success. He explained that the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to support coastal livelihoods, particularly among women engaged in fish processing and related economic activities.

He suggested that the Landing Beach Committees, which manage premix fuel proceeds, could allocate part of their development funds towards supporting the sustainability of the project. According to him, such funds could be used to procure additional computers to complement the Starlink devices and expand access to more students.

Hon. Worclachie noted that with about seven schools along the coast, there is a strong opportunity to establish functional ICT centres within the schools. He proposed that each school could be supported with at least five computers to enable effective utilisation of the internet connectivity.

He emphasised that while external support is important, communities must also be prepared to contribute their quota towards development initiatives. He added that by investing in complementary infrastructure such as computers, the full benefits of the high-speed internet connectivity can be realised for both education and local economic development.

Headmasters of the beneficiary school also commended the initiative as they promised to ensure they maximise its use to improve teaching and learning in their schools.