Coding made part of basic school curriculum from September

Coding will become part of the basic school education curriculum from this academic year, the Minister of Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu Ekuful, has announced.

Coding class, which involves the use of computer programming to create computer software apps and websites, will be compulsory for basic schools in the country.
This follows the review of the educational curriculum for which teachers are currently being trained.

She made the announcement at the Open Day event for awardees of the Western Region Girls in Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Accra Monday.

It aimed at encouraging and empowering girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICT, to enable both girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female participation in the ICT sector.

This year’s programme provides mentorship for 60 pupils who were selected among 600 others from various metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in the Western Region.

While in Accra, the girls will be given the opportunity to meet female IT professionals at their places of work that is MTN, Vodafone, Airtel-Tigo, American Tower Company (ATC) and National Information Technology Agency (NITA)

Training teachers
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Mrs Owusu Ekuful said as part of the introduction of the new curriculum training, teachers were currently being trained on how to teach ICT and coding.

She said the introduction of students to ICT only at the secondary level was not enough and that there was the need to include students at the basic level as well to make it common for all students to study.

Mrs Owusu Ekuful said the Ministry of Communications was working with the Ministry of Education to also ensure that the requisite backbone infrastructure was put in place to support the training of the pupils.

Connecting rural schools
In the absence of computer laboratories in most schools in rural communities, the minister said, coding classes would be held at community information centres.

She was, however, quick to add that the ministry, through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications, was sending connectivity to basic schools.

She said on August 26, 2019, the government would roll out a Wi-Fi programme that Blue Town, a Danish company had completed at Aburi. The project would be on a pilot basis for others and that it would be replicated across the country.

Dangers
A representative from the National Security Centre, Mr Samuel Anning, stated that while the centre was excited about the programme and the prospects ICT held for young people, it was also concerned about the inherent dangers for them.

Representatives of sponsors of the programme— MTN Ghana, Vodafone, Airtel-Tigo, American Towers Company and NITA urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity presented to them to develop expertise in ICT which was the future of Ghana’s economy.

Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke about their ICT learning experience, said they were able to create websites and to develop some computer gaming programmes.

Source: Graphics.com.gh

Founding a technology-based venture in Ghana - An application of Effectuation Logic

Launching a technology-based venture in our uncertain Ghanaian business environment is an uphill task. In the face of these challenges, entrepreneurs have no choice but to adopt mechanisms that will help them survive the roller coaster business environment if they want to start a business.

It is quite encouraging to observe the developments taking place in the technology sector in Ghana. Entrepreneurs are obtaining some forms of supports from government projects/programs and other non-governmental organizations, which is reassuring. These supports are however accessible to a handful of entrepreneurs, and on a short-term basis. There is, therefore, a need to introduce technology-based venture entrepreneurs to ingenious approaches to starting their new venture founding process.

I will share with technology-based startup entrepreneurs decision-making approach that Saras Sarasvathy, a professor at Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, USA, found out that expert entrepreneurs use in time of uncertainty - the Effectuation Decision-Making Logic. Effectuation teaches entrepreneurs how to co-create the future with their available means - the limited resource at their disposal at a point in time. When starting a new venture using the effectual decision approach, entrepreneurs will have to consider the following principles:

Bird in Hand Principle

Entrepreneurs are encouraged to consider these means – Who I am, What I know and Who I know, during the foundation stage of their businesses. According to Sarasvathy (2001), “who I am” takes into consideration the characteristics of the individual; “what I know” is the assessment of the expertise that the individual has, and the “who I know” helps one identify the network one has, which will offer the new venture the much-needed support. When these means are carefully assessed, the entrepreneur can prudently choose which idea to start with and/or the area to start from. They can start small with the resources that they have and gradually search for other possibilities to expand.

Affordable Loss Principle

This principle encourages entrepreneurs to consider or reflect on what they can afford to lose if they are unsuccessful with the new venture creation.  Due to the high levels of uncertainty in our Ghanaian business environment, there is a high possibility of failure. When embarking on new venture creation, an entrepreneur should limit him/herself to losses he/she can recover from (Sarasvathy, 2001); instead of going in for expensive office space, one could use the bedroom, co-working space, dormitory or an internet café to launch his business. Free hosting platforms could also be used to test the minimum viable products instead of acquiring expensive ones. In the event that the business is unsuccessful, entrepreneurs will be able to pivot quickly.

The Leveraging Contingencies Principle

Entrepreneurs should be ready to pivot when market conditions change, or the expectation of the customer changes. Turn the lemons into lemonade – reconsidering an idea or business model to survive the condition of time to increase the survival rate. The future is unpredictable, so measures ought to be put in place to control the unexpected – “The ability to turn the unexpected into the profitable (Sarasvathy, 2001).” If the entrepreneur is working on a software for schoolchildren and meets an investor who is interested in an App and is asking for some changes to be made to the App before investing in the business, the entrepreneur can tweak the software idea to meet the expectation of the investor. When consumer taste changes, one has to learn how to adapt to these changes or the entrepreneur will end up developing a product that no one needs or cannot run on new technology. Flexibility is key.

Crazy Quilt or Strategic Partnership Principle

Since entrepreneurs cannot predict the future, they are encouraged to focus on building strategic partnerships to facilitate operations of their businesses. Entrepreneurs will have to focus on identifying and engaging potential customers for their products. Some of these engagements can lead to the commitment of money, time or other resources to support the venture creation. Entrepreneurs can concentrate on effectively and efficiently bring an idea to the market with such support. It could be a commitment from a customer to acquire or use the entrepreneur's product when he or she finishes developing it. Such supports and commitments mitigate the uncertainty in new ventures creation.

Pilot in the Plane Principle – control

Entrepreneurs need to know what they can control, given the resources they have at any given moment. This knowledge will inform the choices they make. “Who you are.” The entrepreneur’s ability to control the resources around him or her will determine the part of the new venture.

A look at these principles of effectuation reminds us of how some Ghanaian entrepreneurs usually start businesses. However, in most cases, all these principles are not thoroughly considered in new venture creation, leading to the avoidable challenges that new venture creators encounter. Some technology-based start-up entrepreneurs start with their “bird in hand”, but when there is a need to leverage contingencies, they become resistant. Going into a strategic partnership is mostly looked at from a monetary perspective, but individuals should learn to exploit other forms of partnerships to reduce the risk and uncertainty in new venture creation process.

An example is the USA based company, Airbnb, valued around $10 billion today. The founders started by providing lodging on an air mattress and breakfast in their apartment to people for a fee; this was to help them pay their rent. The success of this idea gave birth to a simple website where people could book to stay in their apartment. After a few bookings on the site, they saw the potential in the idea, and decided to look for a co-founder to further work on the website and launched the business. They used the means available to them to start their venture. Their initial plan was to pay their rent, but it later turned out to be a big company.

Careful consideration and use of the effectual principles will enhance the success of new technology-based ventures in our uncertain Ghanaian business environment. 

Reference: www.effectuation.org

Sarasvathy, S.D. (2001), What Makes an Entrepreneur Entrepreneurial, University of Washington School of Business, Washington DC.

Author: Kwabena Obiri Yeboah,

Member: Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana

For comments, contact author: koyeboah2@gmail.com | kwabena.yeboah@afrolynk.com

My Take On The On- Going Workshop For Basic Teachers On The New Curriculum - Edudzi Randy Ahadzi

I write not as a teacher but a concerned citizen, not a spectator but responsible citizen. I must first of all give a thumps for the great initiative ,introducing a new curriculum that in their own wisdom will help groom pupils right.

I must applaud MoE & GES. But isn't this rather an unfortunate situation? I mean, the way and manner the teachers are been treated during the workshops? Teachers were hurriedly called back from their holidays just for this workshop without even thinking about those on sandwich programs, my understanding is that, they were even threatened that failure to attend the workshops will make it impossible for you to be handed a class to teach, isn't that an unfair treatment? Don't teachers deserve better?

I've been to several workshops and none has been held in an open space with participants sitting on hard benches, participants are either housed in a serene environment (sometimes 5 star hotels) with good meals/refreshment. What's different in the case of teachers? Teachers earn so little that even an SHS leaver who manages to enter into any of the security services even earns more than a teacher. Gosh... It's disheartening.

A provision for GH¢1.20p (Aliha & Bread) worth of snacks is what these participants are been given. People who are supposed to be implementer of this new curriculum? It's total injustice towards these teachers. Is it a crime to be a teacher in Ghana? Are they beggars? Ain't they working hard enough? Why motivate the teacher so lowly?

A Black Stars team that couldn't even qualify to the quarter final of the just ended AFCON 2019 in Egypt had members earning above $200.000. Forgive me for this comparison but I think it's just unfair treating teachers this way. For how long must they serve our beloved country as paupers?

Teachers retire after 30 or 40 years in service with meagre amount of money. Sadly, their various unions are not biting enough. Lest not forget that, it's mandatory for every worker to go on leave in this country, do teachers have that freedom? All they enjoy is their holidays, and when you call someone back from his/her leave that certainly must come with some allowances, how much is given to these teachers in this regard?

Enough is enough, the classroom teacher also deserves the best. Quality teaching/tuition must come with quality remuneration.

Thank you.

By: Edudzi Randy Ahadzi

Winning the Competition with Data Science and Machine Learning

Patterns are inherent in everything we can see, feel, touch and taste. The reverse is also true for the things that are incorporeal too, an assertion which may be weird and far-fetched for an average mind. In a semiconductor laboratory in one of the universities I attended, the Professor in charge of the Laboratory explained the concept of sensors to detect smells of vegetables, for example, onions. About 90% of the class did not understand the whole concept but it works. 

At a point during the lecture, sensing our confused minds, he jokingly said, “you have to be either a witch or wizard to understand”. Sneering with laughter as he proudly looked at the long linear algebraic equations used in explaining the concept, he said one day you will understand if you think hard enough. In the ensuing while mused over the theories and concepts, I personally concluded that, it is all about patterns based on mathematical derivatives.  I will later write an article on artificial intelligence systems which uses electronic nose for both security applications and industrial purposes but now let us focus on becoming a winner with Machine Learning technologies in any field of business.

Taking Advantage of Data Science

The story of a janitor - trial and error:

In his desperation, he relied on data. He sampled data of the basketball pitch and things used in the game of basketball by using measuring tools such as level, measuring tapes, and ladder to collect the data. He used plastic cones to check the effectiveness of the line from the hoop to the three-point line. He used a table as a reference point of the three-point line. Finally, the pressure of the basketball was checked. With all this information at hand, he transformed the sampled raw data into a mathematical model. With the application of his derived mathematical model, the story changed! Three things were clearly evident after the application of the model.

• The outcome of his “throw ins” changed. He never missed a ball. The application of data science changed the losses to gains.
• The application of knowledge will change the opinion of your business competitors.
• Applying the data science to your business can change your business outlook. It will cause you to swim with Sharks in the deep waters of business recognition.  You will be the best or ranked among the best.

Real Life Scenarios in African Business Setups

When I visit shopping centres in Accra, I see the clear need to deploy data science techniques to improve the outcomes of businesses, including the management of personnel and positioning of products to improve sales. On many occasions when I shopped at the Accra Shopping Mall and purchased a large quantity of bottled water for events, I left the supermarket without anyone asking for my contact information and the reason for the purchase. With such a high-volume purchase, it is easy to get details of any customer with the discount bait!

Although, there are many simple ways of collecting customer data, the discount bait is one of the commonest!  Data collection from customers can help businesses with the main purpose of transforming these raw data into useful information which translates into insightful winning stakes like the janitor in the short story sketch.

Some lessons from European Business

Some European supermarkets have mastered the placement of products so that upon entering a particular shopping outlet one spends less time and also enjoy the shopping experience. For instance, I know where to pick sardines in any Aldi or Spar shopping centre in UK, Germany, Austria or Holland. There is a science behind the position of these items and the psychology behind it work in a subtle manner.  

In some of these shopping centres with multiple outlets data collection is every important. The collected data enables them to target customers with specific adverts based on historic patterns. Customers are therefore motivated by a small discount to purchase a card which their Business Intelligence units use to prepare campaigns and targeted advertisements.

Apart from these benefits, the card, which is linked to a database, can be helpful in diverse ways. For instance, supposing the main warehouse of these retail outlets wants to distribute their products, relying on historic data and buying trends of consumers as well as spatial information of these outlets, products can be distributed easily.

In conclusion, to be a winner in this era, our game plan must always be robust and ruthless to aim at only winnings. To achieve this purpose, our business strategies must go beyond the normal strategies to include leveraging on Data science and Machine Learning. The patterns hidden in any data for any given situation could be harnessed and used to predict future likely outcomes with near perfection.  Through the application of this knowledge in our businesses, we can curb errors that can lead to the collapse of businesses, deaths, accidents due to human errors or inconsistent behavioural patterns in humans.

Author: Benjamin Mensah

Member: Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana

For comments, contact author: bekmens@gmail.com

Mobile: +233240249881

Source: www.iipgh.org 

Telecom Towers: The Health & Safety Implications

Telecommunication has become a major drive for socio-economic growth, globally. The utilization of the opportunities that come with it has led to the proliferation of telecommunication masts (Masts).

Masts (also referred to as towers)  are typically tall metal structures that support antennas for telecommunications and broadcasting for mobile phone, radio, television and radar.

The issue of mast location and the associated safety and health hazards is extremely imperative to be discussed and remedied to save lives and properties. There have been several discussions globally on the health implications of masts on people who live closer to them. These discussions originate from various epidemiologic and scientific studies by Scientists, Medical Professionals and International regulatory organizations.

The Effects

People staying closer to masts may suffer from vibrations, noise pollution, generator fumes, ultraviolet rays and pollution of ground water as a result of oil spillage. Odunola, et al (2015), mentioned that, there is a significant relationship between residents’ health and distance to mast in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. He further mentioned that, it is interesting to note that the perceived impacts, particularly the physiological one is observed to be considerable and statistically significant.

There is also the danger of masts falling on people who stay closer to them. Santini, et al (2003), reported twenty-seven cases of fallen masts in France as a result of weather problems. As reported by the Daily Graphic on 29^th May 2010, a mast collapsed on a high-tension pole carrying 33,000 volts at Mpintsim (Takoradi), depriving more than 33 communities of electricity.  According to Biztech Africa, in 2016, a mast belonging to a bank collapsed in Lagos, injuring a trader and destroying neighbouring properties. In 2018, atlfmonline (https://www.atlfmonline.com/home/24-ghana/6732-western-region-collapsed-telecom-mast-kills-trader-in-takoradi.html) reported that, a collapsed mast led to the death of one person in Takoradi.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2006 stated that, there was no evidence to support the short or long-term adverse health effects of radio frequency (RF) signals produced from masts.

Contrary to this, the 2011 report of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); a specialized agency of WHO, classified cell phone and other types of RF and microwave radiation as having the potential to cause cancer in humans

Epidemiologic studies have shown that there are numerous health problems associated with the long-term exposure to masts; especially to those who stay very close to them.

The study by Santini, et al (2002) ,reported number of effects such as tiredness, headache, nausea, sleep disruption, depression, loss of memory, loss of appetite and libido decrease. Also, Navarro, et al (2003), in Spain established a significant relationship between several symptoms of microwave sickness and the microwave power density associated with a base station. Symptoms and signs reported included headache, fatigue, irritability, loss of appetite, sleepiness, concentration difficulties, depression, and emotional instability.

Abdel, et al (2007), in their Northern Ireland studies observed that residents living in Dunan on districts within 1-5km service radius close to mast location suffered several cancer cases like lings, prostate, breast and lungs cancer. They also suffered ailments like leukaemia, lymphoma and hematopoietic.  Also in the study of Horst, et al (2004), Doctors from Naila (Germany) monitored 1000 residents who had lived in an area around two masts for a decade. In the last 5 years of the study, it was realized that people living within 400 meters of either tower had a newly diagnosed cancer rate which was three times more than those who lived further away. Cancers of the prostate, pancreas, bowel, skin melanoma, lung and blood cancer were all increased, with breast cancer topping the list.

In the study of Germann (2004), blood was drawn from 1018 persons before a mobile phone mast was erected. After 6 to 12 months of turning on the station, the new blood samples showed significant effects as a direct cause of pulsed electromagnetic field. In Kempten West (Germany), blood levels of serotonin and melatonin were measured both before and five months after the activation of a new cell site in 2007.The result showed significant un favourable changes in hormones of almost all the 25 participants who lived within 300 meters (Weep News, 2008).

According to the Government of Ghana Guidelines for the Deployment of Communications Towers, “Some of these concerns particularly, with regard to health are not supported by existing scientific findings”. However, the report spells out requirements for siting towers; including structure, radiation emission and waste management, “to harmonize growth and development on one hand and public safety, perceived or otherwise on the other”

Conclusion

It is evident from the reviewed studies that, people who stay close to masts are at a higher risk of getting different kinds of cancer and other chronic ailments in both short and long terms.

Property owners need to be circumspect in leasing properties for such purposes. They should always think of the public good first. The health and safety of humans cannot be overemphasized.

Masts need to be properly and strongly sited to resist tensile, storms, vibration and other gravitational forces. They should also be sited within a reasonable radius from the activities of humans.

It is incumbent on Regulators to strengthen the requirements for erecting towers and ensure they are strictly applied, to safeguard properties and human lives.

Finally, Civil Society Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations need to sensitize governments, regulators and the general public on the need to protect lives and properties from the risks associated with masts.

Author: Sherrif Issah – (Consultant @ Digital Jewels Ltd. and Member: Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana)

Email: sherrifi@digitaljewels.net

Mobile: +233243835912

Source: www.iipgh.org