report from the ghana fab lab

TTI REPORT ON THE TTI REPORT ON THE GHANA FAB LABGHANA FAB LAB

The vision of the InstituteThe vision of the Institute

The trainees at TTI acquire vocational skills The trainees at TTI acquire vocational skills and qualifications that meet the changing and qualifications that meet the changing needs of the labour market which:needs of the labour market which:

-are consistent with the Ghana Poverty -are consistent with the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) Reduction Strategy (GPRS)

-contributes to Private Sector Development. -contributes to Private Sector Development.

Mission of TTIMission of TTI

TTI strives to be second to none in the TTI strives to be second to none in the production of middle-level manpower for industry production of middle-level manpower for industry and self-employment.and self-employment.

THE FAB LAB: Personal fabrication for local THE FAB LAB: Personal fabrication for local entrepreneurial opportunities.entrepreneurial opportunities.

The Fab Lab in Ghana was a year old in July 2005. Before the The Fab Lab in Ghana was a year old in July 2005. Before the establishment of the fab lab little did we understand what it really meant, establishment of the fab lab little did we understand what it really meant, what to do and where to go.what to do and where to go.

Nevertheless, today we have made some remarkable progress.Nevertheless, today we have made some remarkable progress.

GOALGOAL

Our goal is to identify community Our goal is to identify community problems and find solutions to them; e.g. problems and find solutions to them; e.g. to convert the abundant renewable energy to convert the abundant renewable energy such as solar and wind to power machines such as solar and wind to power machines and mechanize our agriculture and local and mechanize our agriculture and local art and craft industry. art and craft industry.

Fab-lab buildingFab-lab building

PATRONAGEPATRONAGE

Students from TTIStudents from TTI

Children from the orphanageChildren from the orphanage

Electrical trade associationElectrical trade association

Adults from the communityAdults from the community

Female students from other institutionsFemale students from other institutions

Children from the orphanageChildren from the orphanage

Electrical trade association from the Electrical trade association from the communitycommunity

Adults from the communityAdults from the community

Female students from other Female students from other institutionsinstitutions

PROJECTSPROJECTS The Fab-lab has initiated some projects which we hope The Fab-lab has initiated some projects which we hope to make into businesses.to make into businesses.

Among these are the Fufu pounder which will be used to Among these are the Fufu pounder which will be used to prepare the most common dish in every Ghanaian home.prepare the most common dish in every Ghanaian home.

Secondly, fabricating a local television antenna, which is Secondly, fabricating a local television antenna, which is very costly.very costly.

We are also working on a refrigeration project using the We are also working on a refrigeration project using the vortex tube which will be installed in cargo trucks carrying vortex tube which will be installed in cargo trucks carrying perishable goods from the hinterland to the urban areas.perishable goods from the hinterland to the urban areas.

Fufu pounding machine Fufu pounding machine

Student on the antenna projectStudent on the antenna project

Students designing circuit boardStudents designing circuit board

Students on screen printing Students on screen printing

Way ForwardWay Forward

Construction of new fab lab facility.Construction of new fab lab facility.

Training the next generation of students in Training the next generation of students in personal fabrication.personal fabrication.

Organize annual Fab- Lab Fair.Organize annual Fab- Lab Fair.

Establish linkage with sister institutions Establish linkage with sister institutions i.e.Technical &Vocational Polytechnics and i.e.Technical &Vocational Polytechnics and the University of Cape Coast.the University of Cape Coast.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

In conclusion we will like to thank the In conclusion we will like to thank the organizers of this workshop and once organizers of this workshop and once again our sponsors; the Center for Bits again our sponsors; the Center for Bits and Atoms of Massachusetts Institute of and Atoms of Massachusetts Institute of Technology for their support in diverse Technology for their support in diverse ways and all participants for your kind ways and all participants for your kind attention.attention.