The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has distributed more than 4,000 laptops to financially disadvantaged students through its Vice-Chancellor’s Support One Needy Student with One Laptop (SONSOL) initiative, reinforcing its commitment to digital inclusion and equitable access to education.
Speaking at the 2026 SONSOL Award Ceremony, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Asamoah, on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, said the initiative had grown significantly since its launch in 2021, becoming a vital support system for students facing financial challenges.
He noted that the programme began with the distribution of 593 laptops in its inaugural year, followed by 793 in 2022, with total distributions now exceeding 4,000 through the continued support of corporate partners, alumni and other stakeholders.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, access to laptops has become increasingly essential in an era driven by digital transformation and artificial intelligence, enabling students to conduct research, complete assignments, develop software, analyse data and participate effectively in online learning.
Professor Dickson expressed appreciation to partners, including Stanbic Bank Ghana, Ecobank, Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG), Telecel Ghana, Absa Bank Ghana, the KNUST Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG), for supporting the initiative over the years.
She also appealed to more corporate organisations, philanthropists, financial institutions and alumni to contribute towards expanding the programme to meet the growing demand for laptops among needy students.
“No contribution is too small. One laptop can permanently alter the trajectory of an entire family, and collectively, we can ensure that digital poverty becomes a thing of the past at KNUST,” she said.
Delivering a solidarity message, the Ashanti Regional Manager of Stanbic Bank Ghana, Mr. Anthony Asare, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting educational initiatives that equip students with the tools needed to excel academically and contribute to national development.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Vera Morgan described the SONSOL initiative as a transformative programme that had restored hope to many students by providing them with essential learning tools.
She said the laptops had become indispensable for accessing lecture materials, conducting research, completing coursework, participating in virtual learning and acquiring digital skills necessary for academic and professional success.
