NCA Supports Robotics Team With $5,000

The National Communications Authority, (NCA) will provide an amount of $5,000 to support a robotics team participating in the Global International Robotics Competition in Mexico City, Minister for Communications Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has said.

The funding is expected to cover a robot kit required for all teams, visa application fees, food, lodging, and uniforms that will be needed during the competition.

Interacting with a team of girls who will be representing Ghana in the competition, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said the government will ensure that ICT penetrates every aspect of society.

She said about 600 students are being trained in ICT yearly to hasten the pace of advancement.

The team made up of four girls was organized by STEMBEES a non -governmental organization which seeks to educate and train young girls in the field of Science, Engineering and Mathematics using ICT.

The girls, selected from the robotics club of Wesley Girls Senior High School, will be required to display their use of robots to carry out the task of producing energy using solar and wind.

The Minister urged them to work hard to bring the trophy to Ghana.

"I am excited that an all-girls robotics team from Ghana will be represented at this competition, and this is to say it is a step forward for women’s empowerment and I urge everyone to support these young girls as they make Ghana proud.’’

She stressed the need to promote and inculcate Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) education among young children across the country.

Executive Director of STEMBEES, Linda Ansong said the girls will be competing against 166 teams from 157 countries.

‘’It warms my heart that the Minister, as well as, many other people who have helped raise funds for us believe in our mission. We are thrilled to make the dreams of some of our country’s smartest minds become a reality’ she noted.

The competition will begin on the 15th to the 18th of this month.

In 2017, Ghana was represented by six girls from the Archbishop Porter’s Girls School during the inaugural edition of the international robotics competition.