For many students in Teshie, Ghana, computer lessons used to be something they could only picture in their heads. Teachers would explain how Microsoft Word works, students would copy each step into their notebooks, and the lesson would end without anyone touching a keyboard. Some teachers even drew the Word interface on the blackboard.

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‍How the Mobile Computer Lab works

In February 2026, that started to change. Empower Communities Ghana launched its Mobile Computer Lab, bringing laptops directly into the classroom for the first time. The project works as a mobile computer library. Schools book the lab for their IT lessons, and the Empower Communities Ghana team sets up the laptops so students can put each lesson into practice. Because the lab travels from school to school, a small set of devices can reach a large number of learners.

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‍The partnership behind the laptops

In December 2025, the team at Empower Communities Ghana visited Close the Gap in Belgium to see firsthand how the laptops are prepared for a second life. They then purchased a batch of 21 refurbished laptops to take home to Ghana. William Febiri, Founder of Empower Communities Ghana, described what that meant to them.

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"From the very beginning, communication with the Close the Gap team was excellent. We had the privilege of visiting their warehouse in Belgium, where they warmly welcomed us and gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of their operations. It was inspiring to see the entire refurbishment process firsthand, ensuring each device is fully functional and ready for use."

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Inside the classroom

After receiving the laptops, the change in the classrooms was immediate. The moment the laptops were switched on, the lesson came alive, with students carrying out each instruction themselves instead of noting it down. For many, it was the first time they had ever used a computer.  

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So far, the project has reached six public schools and more than 650 students.

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For William, the impact goes beyond the devices themselves.

"Many of these students previously learned about Microsoft Word only in theory. Today, they are gaining hands-on practical experience, building essential digital skills and confidence. Together, we are helping to bridge the digital divide and creating opportunities for young learners to thrive in an increasingly digital world."

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The Mobile Computer Lab is run by Empower Communities Ghana, which works directly with schools across Teshie to support practical IT education. By contributing refurbished laptops to the project, Close the Gap is glad to support its growth. With every school the lab reaches, more students get the chance to move from imagining computers to using them.  

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Read more

From Imagining Computers to Using Them, Empower Communities Ghana
The Mobile Computer Lab, Empower Communities Ghana

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