By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has opened a Drone Technology and Simulation Centre to provide hands-on training for both its students and members of the public.
The Centre is also expected to offer crucial services in agricultural production, including farm monitoring, data collection, and spraying of commercial farms.
Constructed at a cost of over $400,000, the Centre is a collaborative effort between KNUST and the Mastercard Foundation, facilitated by the KNUST E-Learning Ambassador, Daniel Faahene Acquaye.
The Drone Centre is a subsidiary of the university’s E-Learning Centre, which was established under the Office of the Vice-Chancellor as a priority initiative to drive various programmes in information and communication technology.
One of the key initiatives under this programme is the establishment of the Faahene Acquaye Drone Technology and Simulation Centre, built with funding from the Mastercard Foundation through Mr. Acquaye.
The 11-drone facility includes both physical and virtual spaces designed for drone training and operations. It serves not only students of KNUST but also those from other institutions, and it is expected to contribute significantly to commercial agricultural services, particularly in minimizing human involvement in the application of agro-inputs.
Mr. Acquaye told GBC that the technology could reduce agricultural production costs by approximately 30 percent.
“We’re in an era where we can no longer do away with technology—especially digital technology. Not just because it’s the norm, but because of the immense opportunities it presents: from creating opportunities for young people to solving industry challenges.
“Looking at our agricultural sector, which is mostly dominated by smallholder farmers—although commercial farming is on the rise—we can’t rely solely on our physical eyes for monitoring and services. Drone technology allows us to monitor large commercial farms and collect vital data from community-level farms to improve agricultural productivity.”
The inauguration of the Centre formed part of activities marking this year’s E-Learning Week at KNUST.
Established two years ago, the annual E-Learning Week is part of the university’s broader digital transformation agenda. The week-long event has attracted participation from senior high schools across the Ashanti Region, as well as tech-focused organizations and individuals, all gathering to share ideas and foster innovation in the digital, information, and communication technology space.
The Director of Innovations at the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation, Emmanuel Ofori, emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding access to education through digital infrastructure, especially in light of the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is expanding broadband access to rural and underserved areas. Through the Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project, over 2,000 communities are currently being connected with 4G infrastructure, creating a solid foundation for educational growth.”
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to leveraging technology to ensure inclusivity and academic excellence.
“We don’t want anyone to be left out simply because they come from a poor background. Just last week, during Student Week, we distributed over 600 laptops to students, all courtesy of our partners and donors. We’re also integrating e-learning in our assessments—during the first semester, over 50,000 students across all six colleges took part of their exams online.”
She added that KNUST is highly intentional in its technology policies and programmes, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital transformation journey.
The Director of KNUST E-Learning, Professor Eric Apau Asante, described innovation as the “heartbeat” of modern education—one that must promote equity, accessibility, and ethical application.
This year’s E-Learning Week is being celebrated under the theme:
“Transformation through Responsible Innovation and Inclusion in the Digital Era.”
KNUST remains Ghana’s leading tertiary institution, with a clear mandate for research, training, and academic excellence in science, technology, and engineering.
