For many years, the rural community of Abrem Essiam in Ghana’s Central Region faced a serious barrier to quality education, its two basic schools lacked computer laboratories. Despite one school serving the community for over 60 years and the other for more than a decade, neither had the infrastructure to deliver ICT education. As a result, students graduated without digital literacy, placing them at a severe disadvantage in today’s technology-driven world.

In response, the community, in collaboration with CorpsAfrica, launched a transformative project to establish fully functional ICT laboratories in both schools. Existing classrooms were renovated and converted into ICT labs, each equipped with 10 desktop computers, appropriate furniture, and stable electrical installations. This was achieved through strong community participation: local artisans were engaged to construct furniture, electricians were hired to handle wiring and installations, and a project committee was formed to oversee implementation and ensure accountability.

The project has created immediate impact. Today, more than 350 students and 27 teachers have direct access to computer labs, enabling students to participate in weekly ICT lessons with at least one hour of hands-on practice. Teachers are integrating ICT into classroom learning, improving teaching quality and enriching the overall learning environment. Indirectly, over 600 community members; parents, school administrators, and out-of-school youth, are also benefitting from the project through improved education standards and opportunities for future training.

Beyond improving digital literacy, the project has inspired a strong sense of ownership and pride within the community. The people of Abrem Essiam have pledged to sustain the labs through annual community-led initiatives for maintenance and upgrades. Moreover, interest from out-of-school youth and adults has opened the door to broader digital inclusion programs that could extend far beyond the classroom.

By bridging the digital divide, the Abrem Essiam ICT Lab project is not only preparing students for modern opportunities but also positioning the community for long-term growth, empowerment, and resilience in an increasingly digital world.