Blackboard used as PC substitute in Ghana school sparks Saudi donations campaign

Following the spread of a photo of a Ghanaian man using only a blackboard and chalk to provide his students with a detailed illustration of Microsoft Word, several campaigns surfaced calling for donations to buy laptops for the poverty stricken school in Ghana.

One of the first campaigns was started in Saudi Arabia by a young man, Naif Harbi, who was able to send the school's teacher, Richard Akoto, a laptop donated by a young Saudi woman currently doing her PHD in Britain.

Ghana teacher laptop. (Facebook)

“I’ve drawn monitors, system units, keyboards, a mouse, a formatting toolbar, a drawing toolbar, and so on. The students were okay with that. They are used to me doing everything on the board for them,” Akoto said.

Harbi said that this was the first device sent to the school, adding that he plans on sending another laptop and a projector to the Ghanaian teacher.

Akoto expressed his gratitude through his personal Facebook account which showed pictures of the students holding the donated laptop. He added that the device will be put to good use to teach the children basic computer skills.

Following receipt of the first laptop, Akoto said that he received many other donations including five computers and a personal laptop, in addition to three boxes containing books about information and communication technology.

Akoto also attended the Microsoft Partners in Learning Global Forum in Singapore this month, which hosted 300 teachers from around the world to share their experiences and learn about the latest developments in the world of technology.

The Vice President for Worldwide Education at Microsoft, Anthony Salcito, praised Akoto for overcoming his circumstances to help his students.

“Your work has really inspired the world. It really shows the amazing innovation and commitment and passion that teachers have for helping their students get ready for the future,” Salcitio said.