The Volta Regional Director of Education, Francis Agbemadi, has called for the establishment of more Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) schools in the region to nurture innovation and prepare young people for a technology-driven future.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of this year’s Tech Festival for ICT Teachers in Ho West, the Regional Director, Mr Francis Agbemadi, commended the initiative and described it as a visionary step toward building a digitally competent teaching force.

The week-long festival was fully sponsored by the Member of Parliament for Ho West, Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, in collaboration with the Dipper Lab of the College of Engineering at KNUST and Cynosol Ghana, with Awudome Senior High School serving as host.

“This annual Tech Festival has proven to be a visionary initiative—one that equips teachers and young people with practical digital skills for a rapidly changing world,” Francis Agbemadi said.

Participants received hands-on training and mentorship in Basic Programming, Engineering Design, Drone Technology, Virtual Reality (VR), Digital Arts, and Emerging Technologies—skills the Director said are crucial for today’s dynamic learning environment.

He emphasised that digital literacy, artificial intelligence (AI), synthetic intelligence (SI), and nanotechnology have become indispensable tools for progress, adding that the rapid pace of global innovation demands that teachers and students alike embrace lifelong learning.

“Education moves in semesters; innovation moves in seconds,” Mr Agbemadi remarked, quoting Tesfaye Shibiru and Mitiku Bekele (2024). “By the time a student completes a four-year degree, the world they trained for may already belong to history.”

The Regional Director observed that AI and nanotechnology are driving the Fourth and emerging Fifth Industrial Revolutions, transforming education, healthcare, agriculture, and business. He urged teachers to lead the charge in adapting to these changes through continuous professional development.

Mr Agbemadi also cited the recent commissioning of a ₵1.5 million Artificial Intelligence Education Centre of Excellence at Bleamezado Tsime—donated by Mr Vincent Kaledzi, CEO of Star Oil—as a clear indication that the Volta Region is fast becoming a hub for educational innovation and digital transformation.

Highlighting the festival’s impact, he said the training had rekindled teachers’ passion for technology and inspired a new culture of creativity in teaching.

“Empowered teachers will empower students, and empowered students will, in turn, transform their communities,” he affirmed.

While applauding the foresight and sponsorship of Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, he encouraged the organisers to consider hosting future editions during school holidays to allow greater student participation.

The Regional Director further called for stronger government support to scale up such initiatives across the Volta Region.

“The Volta Region is blessed with immense creativity and innovation, yet we still lack a dedicated STEM school to nurture this potential,” he appealed. “I therefore urge the authorities to establish at least three STEM schools in the region to unlock the ingenuity of our young people and drive national development.”

He also advised teachers and students to use digital tools responsibly and uphold the values of respect, integrity, and discipline both online and offline.

“Technology will not replace teachers; however, teachers who effectively use technology will replace those who do not,” he stressed, quoting Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach.

In closing, the Volta Regional Director of Education, Francis Agbemadi, commended Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, the facilitators, and all partners for their dedication to advancing digital education in the Volta Region.

“Let this festival be not an end, but the beginning of a new digital awakening in Ho West,” he declared, officially bringing the 2025 Tech Festival to a close.