Fostering innovation in Africa through hands-on robotics education

Unless young Africans are inspired and empowered to pursue careers in STEM, Africa faces the risk of falling behind the tech workforce of continents like Europe and Asia.

Founded in 2011 by the NASA robotics engineer Dr. Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu, Ghana Robotics Academy Foundation (GRAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to motivate and inspire the participation of young Ghanaians in STEM. Under the administration of Dr. Yaw Okraku-Yirenkyi, the academy has taught over 7000 students across all age groups how to code using the LEGO Robotics System as part of their Robotics-Inspired Education program (RISE).

The robotics academy pioneers science education by organizing hands-on robotics workshops and competitions across Ghana for high schools and colleges, unlocking innovation, creativity, and passion for STEM in young Ghanaians.

GRAF wants to ensure younger generations are equipped with competitive technical skills, scientific and technological building blocks crucial to economic leadership. Thus, ensuring that as these well-educated tech-savvy students join the workforce as entrepreneurs, they’ll help grow Ghana’s economy and contribute to the development of increasingly important and dynamic service sectors.