The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has renewed calls for stronger alumni involvement in improving the school’s ICT facilities, urging graduates across all year groups to help equip computer laboratories with more devices and learning tools.
Speaking during a visit by the 1993 Year Group—popularly known as the Pacesetters—Prof. Amfo praised the cohort for what she described as a practical and exemplary model of alumni support. “We need sustained alumni support to strengthen our IT infrastructure,” she said. “What the 1993 group has done shows how old students can make a real difference.”
The group, currently marking its 32-year homecoming, donated laptops to the university as part of its contribution to the “One Student, One Laptop” initiative, a programme aimed at boosting digital access and ensuring every student can participate in technology-driven learning.
President of the 1993 Year Group, Margaret Donkor, said their gesture was inspired by the growing gap in access to essential learning tools. She explained that the group had long discussed ways to make a meaningful impact. “We wanted to bring something that benefits the entire university community,” she said. “Not everyone can afford a laptop, yet the need for technology is greater than ever.”
Chairman of the group, Professor Peter Quartey, echoed those concerns and referenced how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep inequalities in digital access. He noted that while online learning became a necessity, many students struggled to keep up due to a lack of devices. “COVID really showed us how much our students depend on technology and how unequal access can be,” he said. “Many still struggle to afford laptops, and that makes it difficult for them to keep up with modern academic demands.”
The 1993 Year Group, regarded as one of the university’s most organised alumni blocs, has consistently supported digital access efforts through both donations and advocacy. The group says it remains committed to partnering with the university to expand technology access and close the digital divide.
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