Ga Mantse offers 20-acre land for STEM-AI hub in Accra as he receives Nekotech-Stevens award in US
His Royal Majesty King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse and President of the Ga Traditional Council, is embarking on an audacious agenda of development hinged on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as well as Artificial intelligence (AI), the tools for the next global revolution.
The Ga Mantse is rolling out plans to place Accra as the centre of this transformation across Africa, hence the release of a 20-acre parcel of land – for the construction of a STEM-AI hub similar to the world-renowned Silicon Valley of the USA. To help him accomplish this, His Royal Majesty announced his intention to officially assign HE Rev Dr Ocansey to support his efforts at the Ga State.
This came to light during his speech at the just-ended second annual Africa-US Presidential Forum on STEM-AI-MBA held in Hoboken, New Jersey, in the USA, organised by Stevens Institute of Technology and the world-renowned Nekotech Center of Excellence.
At the forum, His Royal Majesty King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II was presented with the presidential honorary “Youth Tech Empowerment” award for his remarkable efforts and exemplary role in promoting STEM education among the Ga State youth in Ghana.
In his speech, the Ga Mantse emphasised the importance of empowering the human resource of Ghana to be the problem-solvers of the dynamic and modern global challenges.
“We are talking about STEM-AI. I know that there are a number of giants from Silicon Valley in this hall today. I know that there are a lot of collaborators in cognitive AI technology. I am bringing this technology to Ghana. We have a 20-acre plot in the centre of Accra, and I want us to build an institution to train youth of about 5000 in the subregion. I will need you as collaborators and partners, starting with the Stevens Institute of Technology,” he stated.
The wise king acknowledged the importance of collective efforts and taking a bold lead, emphasising, “I know that Malawi and I will form a pact today because we share a common interest and we believe that leadership cannot thrive, leadership cannot be honoured, and leadership cannot be respected, if it pays no dues to the people it governs. True leadership must impact the lives of the people it governs”.
The Ga Mantse believes African leaders must leave a legacy of transformation for the grassroots.
“We must make sure that we build synergies that will bring the next generation together, educate them, bring them to proper purpose, build their inert talents, and let them explore the world. Let us make our communities a place where every child can build a dream,” he stressed.
He also used the occasion to woo investors to grab viable economic opportunities in Ghana, especially within Ga Dangme areas, and encouraged tourists to make the beautiful beaches that stretch along the southern coast their constant destination for sightseeing and relaxation.
“I am taking all of you back to Ghana. The first thing I would like to do is to invite the President of this institution [Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT)] to Ghana very soon”.
His Royal Majesty King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II commended his colleague awardees and the organisers of the impactful programme.
Some of the other awardees of the Presidential Honorary Awards included the President of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera; the former President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Joyce Banda; and the President of Sierra Leone, H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Wonie Bio.
In his remarks, the President of Stevens Institute of Technology, Dr. Nariman Farvardin, said the university organised the event in partnership with the Nekotech Centre of Excellence to show its commitment to fostering technological innovation and educational excellence to ensure a brighter future for Africa’s next generation of leaders and innovators.
“We organised this event as it aims at strengthening educational ties between Africa and the US in ensuring that Africa remains at the forefront of technological progress,” Mr. Farvardin observed.
On her part, the Co-Founder of the Nekotech Centre of Excellence, H.E. Rev. Dr. A.K. Ocansey, highlighted the importance of education and empowerment.
Citing the late former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, H.E. Rev. Dr. Asie Ocansey said: “education is the most powerful weapon that could be used to change the world.”
Drawing inspiration from the bible, she buttressed her point by stating, “Our Lord says, ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge’ – Hosea 4:6.”
She commended the phenomenal roles of President Chukwera, the Ga Mantse, the President of Stevens Institute of Technology, Dr. Farvardin, former President Dr. Joyce Banda, President Maada Bio, and all partners involved in the Nekotech study abroad programme championing higher education for a positive transformative impact on society.
The Africa-US Presidential Forum on STEM-AI-MBA is an annual programme that brings together African presidents, U.S. government officials, corporate leaders, and other important dignitaries to discuss critical issues in strategic workforce training, with a focus on STEM, AI-focused learning and MBA, to create a new generation of business savvy tech society in Africa.
Stevens Institute of Technology is a premier private research university in Hoboken, New Jersey, with a rich legacy of technological innovation.
Nekotech Center is a 25 year old multiple award winning human capital development institution with a focus on STEM AI MBA as well as soft skills and spiritual development training focused on character of integrity and achievement development. Nekotech was recently recognized by the US White House with a lifetime achievement award.
Over one thousand students are expected to benefit from Nekotech prep school scholarships, no collateral educational loans at Stevens Institute of Technology through the Nekotech Centre of Excellence.