GASO Petroleum Empowers Two Schools with Digital Learning Tools to Bridge ICT Gap

The gesture, part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments, includes laptops, desktop computers, pendrives, and accessories to equip students with critical skills for a technology-driven future. The initiative also reflects GASO’s deepening partnership with AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, for whom it supplies fuel, underscoring a shared vision to uplift communities where both entities operate.  

Strategic CSR Rooted in Community Partnership

GASO Petroleum, which operates in key mining hubs such as Tarkwa, Damang, and Obuasi, framed the donation as a direct response to the glaring ICT deficit in Ghana’s basic schools. At a ceremony marked by optimism, Managing Director Isaac Asante emphasized the company’s dual role as a corporate actor and community stakeholder. “Our operations in these regions go beyond fuel supply; we are invested in the long-term development of our host communities,” he stated.  

Asante revealed that only 40% of Ghanaian basic schools have access to ICT resources, a gap he called “unacceptable in a digital age.” He explained that GASO’s decision to prioritize ICT stemmed from its foundational role in modern education and career readiness. “We want students to graduate from junior high school with basic computer literacy, ensuring they are competitive in higher education and beyond,” he added.  

The company has pledged to adopt the ICT departments of both beneficiary schools and commit to ongoing support, including potential internet connectivity upgrades, software installations, and hardware maintenance. “This is not a one-off donation. We will monitor their needs and ensure these tools translate into tangible learning outcomes,” Asante affirmed.  

Synergy with AngloGold Ashanti: A Partnership for Progress

While GASO spearheaded the initiative, its collaboration with AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine—a long-standing client for whom it provides fuel—proved pivotal. Stephen Adjei, AngloGold’s Senior Manager of Sustainability, praised GASO’s alignment with the mine’s CSR objectives. “As the 2024 Mining Company of the Year and CSR leader, we champion partnerships that drive community growth. GASO’s initiative complements our efforts to create lasting value,” he said.  

Adjei urged other contractors in the mining sector to emulate GASO’s model, noting that “social responsibility is not the burden of one entity but a collective effort.” He highlighted AngloGold’s role in facilitating needs assessments through its sustainability team, which identified ICT infrastructure as a priority for the schools.  

Education Sector Applauds “Timely Intervention”

Municipal Education Director Catherine Biney hailed the donation as a “quantum leap” for the schools, aligning with Ghana’s updated curriculum that emphasizes ICT integration. “For years, teachers struggled to deliver practical ICT lessons without tools. These gadgets will turn abstract theories into hands-on learning,” she said.  

Biney stressed the broader pedagogical benefits, including enhanced collaboration, research skills, and global connectivity for students. However, she issued a stern warning to school administrators: “These tools are not trophies to be locked away. Use them diligently, maintain them rigorously, and ensure every child benefits.” She appealed for accountability, reminding stakeholders that “how we treat these resources will determine if more support comes.”  

Maximized Impact

Dorcas Andoh, Headteacher of New Tokunanso Basic School, described the donation as “a dream realized.” She outlined plans to integrate the equipment into daily lessons and teacher training programs. “Our students will no longer lag behind their urban counterparts. We’ll ensure these tools ignite curiosity and innovation,” she vowed.  

ICT Deficit in Ghana’s Education Landscape 
Ghana’s education sector faces significant ICT challenges, particularly in rural and mining communities. Limited infrastructure, inadequate teacher training, and high device costs have left many schools reliant on theoretical instruction. The Ghana Education Service estimates that over 60% of basic schools lack functional computers, exacerbating inequality in a country where digital literacy is increasingly tied to economic mobility.  

GASO’s intervention mirrors a growing push by private sector players to complement government efforts. Recent policies, such as the Ghana Digital Acceleration Project, aim to universalize ICT access by 2030, but funding gaps persist. Corporate partnerships, like that of GASO and AngloGold, are emerging as critical stopgaps.  

Sustainable Models for Community Development
The donation sets a precedent for how resource companies and their suppliers can leverage CSR to address systemic issues. For GASO, the initiative strengthens its social license to operate in mining communities, where residents often demand tangible benefits from extractive activities.

GASO Petroleum’s ICT donation transcends philanthropy—it is a strategic investment in Ghana’s human capital and a blueprint for equitable development in resource-rich regions. By addressing educational disparities through targeted CSR, the company not only empowers students but also reinforces the vital role of private-sector collaboration in national progress. As Madam Biney aptly noted, “Today’s learners are tomorrow’s innovators. With these tools, we’re scripting a brighter future for all.”  

Source: Nana Esi Brew Monney

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