The donation was to equip the students with digital art skills
A 17-year-old Ghanaian American, Hawa-Larai Haruna, has inspired Basic 6 students at Tunga Islamic Basic School, part of the Dansoman Cluster of Schools in Accra, by donating 40 digital devices and leading a three-day hands-on workshop in digital arts.
The donation included 20 HP laptops, 20 drawing tablets, and 20 external memory cards, aimed at introducing students to digital creativity and expanding their artistic potential using tools such as Ibis Paint.
Miss Haruna, a digital arts trainer, explained to the media that her initiative seeks to provide students with practical exposure to digital design, helping them develop both creative and technical skills essential in today’s digital world.
Through her training sessions, students are learning how to use drawing tablets and art software to create their own digital masterpieces, as well as gaining skills that could shape future careers in the creative tech industry.
She recounted that during a visit to the school last year, she was struck by the fact that the entire ICT department had only two laptops.
According to her, this discovery stirred both disappointment and motivation, pushing her to mobilize support from friends, family, and well-wishers to provide the much-needed tools.
“I couldn’t believe that in this digital age, a whole school had only two laptops for ICT education,” Hawa-Larai said. “That moment inspired me to make a difference.”
Beyond the donation, her three-day training workshop was designed not only for students but also for teachers, with the aim of equipping both groups with digital art skills and familiarity with creative software.
Miss Haruna stated that the project’s success will be assessed through student feedback, the quality of digital artworks produced, teacher observations, and a comprehensive report detailing outcomes and future recommendations.
The school’s headmistress, Madam Gifty Gasper, expressed deep gratitude, describing the initiative as a “significant handover ceremony” and a powerful example of how collaboration and innovation can transform education.
“In today’s tech-driven world, this donation represents not just the transfer of devices, but the transfer of possibilities,” she emphasized.
She noted that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become the backbone of modern education, and with access to digital tools, students can now engage with learning in a more interactive and future-ready way.
Miss Hawa-Larai Haruna hopes that the impact of her digital arts project will extend beyond the classroom—sparking a long-term interest in technology and creativity while equipping young minds with the tools to succeed in the digital future.
Also speaking at the event, Aminu Onukpa Futa, a senior member of the Futa family in Nima and uncle to Miss Haruna, called on other Ghanaians to emulate her example.
He urged communities to take ownership of development efforts and maintain a strong sense of responsibility for their local educational environments.
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