Ghanaian Teacher, Richard Owura Kwadwo Hottish Akoto Appiah, one of ten Change-Makers who inspired Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella in 2018
10 Change-Makers that inspired Satya Nadella in 2018
Satya nadella has named Richard ‘Owura Kwadwo Hottish’ Akoto as part of individuals and teams who inspired him in 2018.
The CEO of Microsoft shared this in a post titled 10 change-makers who inspired me in 2018. He shared “that these change makers are solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges, often overcoming odds“.
Here’s an excerpt of what the Microsoft CEO shared about the Change-Makers
“As I reflect on the year, I want to celebrate 10 people and teams who inspired me in 2018. With their ambition to think big and take action and also with their commitment to never lose sight of those whose lives they are trying to better. From a Ghanaian teacher who taught his students Word on a chalkboard, to a young entrepreneur in Paris who is reimagining recycling. To a Microsoft team in the United States working to improve outcomes in the foster-care system. These change-makers’ stories made me pause and reflect on the incredible opportunity each of us has to impact and spark change in our organizations, our local communities and the world.”
Richard’s post that went viral
Satya Nadella goes on to say that “to me, Richard exemplifies the dedication and creativity of so many great teachers who go above and beyond each day for their students“.
Satya recapped Richards story by saying; When Richard Appiah Akoto was preparing his students in rural Ghana for a national IT exam earlier this year, he refused to let a lack of working computers get in the way. In remarkably accurate detail, Richard drew the [Microsoft] Word user interface on his classroom chalkboard so his students could learn how to use it. His illustrations went viral, and our teams rallied to support him, providing the school with a computer lab.
Richard Owura Kwadwo Hottish Akoto Appiah speaks at E2 2018 in Singapore.
Satya Nadella concludes that each of these change-makers show us how one individual or team driven by passion and ingenuity can empower others and have meaningful impact in the world.
At Innovation Africa 2018 Microsoft signs MoU to create modern classrooms that drives innovation, performance and growth.
Microsoft signs partnership with the Zimbabwe Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education at Innovation Africa Summit 2018. The partnership will see it assist the Zimbabwean government in “crating modern classrooms that drive innovation, performance and growth”. Per the agreement, Microsoft will assist the Zimbabwean Ministry in identifying devices for its specific digital education strategies. Microsoft will assist the Ministry in building partnerships with international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). It will also provide consultancy services in building a local OEM assembly strategy. This partnership comes at a time Zimbabwe intends to digitally transform as part of its 2030 vision.
As partners of the Innovation Africa 2018 Summit underway in Zimbabwe. Microsoft joined in the EdTech discussions represented by its directors. Chairing a panel on innovation in education for bridging Africa’s skills gap was Harb Bou-Harb, Senior Director of Education Microsoft MEA.
Mark East, General Manager Education Microsoft MEA, spoke to the ministers and stakeholders on education bridging the skills gap in Africa. He said “technology will never replace teachers nor make them irrelevant. But teachers need to keep up with the changes“.
“For Africa’s people to take their place in a 21st century global economy, the core ingredients to its digital education transformation recipe must include connectivity, digital literacy, the ability to code and command of the English language. Similarly, if we are to truly invest in the human capital of the future, we must prioritise the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning for all K12 students.”
For Mr. East skills shortages have a way of impacting a countries GDP.
Microsoft says it “believes in a future where every young person has the skills, knowledge and opportunity to succeed. Committing to impart 10 million youths in the Middle East Africa region with digital skills in the next three years.
Microsoft signs MoU with Ministry of ICT & National Guidance Uganda
Microsoft has signed a partnership with the Ugandan ministry of ICT in what it calls strategic. The partnership, Microsoft says aims to create a sustainable, scalable project and initiatives that will leverage Microsoft technologies. The Uganda Ministry of ICT and National Guidance also believes the MoU with Microsoft will help support Ugandan Innovators under their National ICT Initiatives Support Program.
“Microsoft EA has signed a strategic MoU with Ministry of ICT & National Guidance UG that aims to create sustainable, scalable project & initiatives that will leverage Microsoft technologies & expertise to transform Uganda’s innovation landscape for socio-economic development.” Angela Nganga – Government Affairs Lead Middle East and Africa, Microsoft
Uganda’s Ministry of ICT says one of the objectives for signing the MOU is to “support the development of next generation applications“. It hope to achieve this, “by building technical expertise that spur innovation through initiatives such as the Microsoft App Factory Program“.
Uganda’s National ICT Initiatives Support Programme (NIISP) was setup to facilitate the creation of an ICT Innovation ecosystem and marketplace for Ugandan innovative digital products. The NIISP also aims at facilitating growth and development of the software applications and innovations industry in Uganda.
Microsoft and the CPGR unveil a first-for-Africa platform to advance medical research and healthcare on the continent
Press release : 30 October 2018, Cape Town –
Microsoft, through its 4Afrika initiative, and the Centre for Proteomic & Genomic Research (CPGR) have embarked on a joint project bringing together the intelligent cloud and genomics research to create a scalable, cost-effective technology platform to power advanced medical analysis and research. This platform will be enabled by Microsoft Azure – to support the data transfer, storage and processing capabilities for genomics datasets – and will allow African scientists and academics to perform and collaborate on ground-breaking genomics research.
The project aims to make genomic applications (such as, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), BRCA sequencing for breast cancer, HLA typing for stem cell match making and ancestry profiling) available on an accessible, secure and versatile cloud-based platform.
It is the first such initiative in Africa and could have enormous social and health care provision benefits, including avoiding prescription of ineffective drugs and sidestepping potential side effects, as well as enhancing the analysis of data, the dissemination of information and the aggregation of data to support regional genomic research, innovation and health provision.
“Working with Microsoft Azure gives us an opportunity to explore data management solutions that are flexible in scope and scale when supporting large-scale research projects or developing precision medicine solutions,” says Reinhard Hiller, managing director at CPGR.
Partnering for health
Based in Cape Town, the CPGR provides advanced ‘omics’ services to the life science and biotech communities in South Africa. ‘Omics’ groups, together with several specialties within the field of biology – including proteomics and genomics, which ‘zoom in’ on the proteome (the proteins output of an organism) and genome (the genetic makeup of an organism) respectively. This non-profit organisation uses leading technologies and bio-computational data pipelines to create and support tailored services for both academia and industry customers alike.
A universe of data within us
Arguably the most famous of omics projects – to a broader, non-specialist audience – was the Human Genome Project which set out to map the entire human genome. This ambitious inward journey of discovery took 15 years to be declared ‘complete’ and uncovered, among other things, that the length of the average human genome – measured in base pairs (letters of the DNA sequence) – is approximately three billion. If we think of this as kilobytes of data, we’re talking about three terabytes of data points to be unpacked and explored per person.
To analyse this amount of information, a robust technology platform for analytics is needed, and so the need for a partnership such as this becomes more apparent. Combined with the power and stability of Azure (Microsoft’s dynamic cloud computing service) and coupled with technical and financial support from Microsoft 4Afrika, this project will boost the depth and breadth of the African medical sciences research community’s output and nurture the establishment of a stronger and sustainable African medical research community.
From data to utility
“The project allows us to use an existing cloud-based data management ecosystem, while amplifying our own expertise in developing and running a genomics technology platform. We envisage creating a system that allows us to deliver value, and collaborate with others across the continent,” says Hiller.
In this way, the platform aims to counter the often-incomplete access to cutting-edge medical solutions for many people in Africa. The platform will:
(i) enhance access to patient eco-systems;
(ii) ease collection and transfer of information;
(iii) support the processing and down-stream analysis of genomic (e.g. DNA sequencing) data;
(iv) allow for the secure, efficient and safe aggregation of such data; and
(v) provide a means to combine and mine such data for research purposes.
Common diseases, such as cancer or diabetes, are influenced by the interplay of many different genetic markers. To study these linkages requires the aggregation and analysis of very large datasets. In addition, provision of gene-based diagnostic testing requires the careful comparison of an individual patient’s data with appropriate reference data sets. Given the rapidly expanding nature of biomedical science and the genetic diversity found in African populations, having a means to store and analyse data is a key pillar of Africa-led research and innovation. Such a solution will aid in reducing “data drain” from Africa as researchers will have solutions to better manage and analyse their data.
Microsoft for medicine
This project speaks directly to the potential of cloud technologies in enabling cutting-edge science and medicine. With a scalable platform like Azure as the backbone of a project, medical researchers can get to work on unlocking the secrets embedded in our cells – a giant leap for mankind into ‘inner space’ – and towards a better, healthier life.
“For Microsoft 4Afrika, it is one of the most exciting fruits of our long-term investment into Africa’s economic, social and technological development,” says Ryno Rijnsburger, chief technology officer at Microsoft 4Afrika. “We are providing both financial and technical support to the CPGR and also intend to bring out Microsoft experts to work with the team through our MySkills4Afrika volunteer programme.”
“Another of the intended outcomes is to stimulate interest and support the CPGR in accessing additional funding to continue operationalizing the platform, which will in turn lead to additional technology investments into things like mobile apps and reporting capabilities.”
“The sheer volume of data that can flow through the system will drive genomic research and medical innovation, and public health across Africa will reap the benefits,” concludes Rijnsburger.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
The 4Afrika Initiative is Microsoft’s business and market development engine in Africa. Launched in 2013, it promotes affordable access to the internet, world-class skills and innovation to unlock and accelerate Africa’s potential to create technology not only for the continent, but for the world.
About CPGR
The CPGR is a non-profit company located in Cape Town, South Africa, based on an initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and financially supported by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The CPGR combines state-of-the-art information-rich genomic and proteomic (‘omics’) technologies with bio-computational pipelines to render services and support projects in the life science and biomedical arena in (South) Africa.
Microsoft meets with Partners in Ghana at Partner CEO Forum to share Vision and Strategy
Microsoft hosts Partner CEO Forum event to show support and commitment to its business ecosystem in Ghana. This was evident with the high level representation of the Microsoft team in the room. From the General Manger Middle East and Africa Regional Multi Country Cluster, Ghana Country Manager and Partner Technical managers. As shared by Damola Solanke, Public Sector Sales Lead, it had been a long time since Microsoft spent time with partners in the country.
MCC CMO Enterprise Lead, Edmond Idoko getting the sessions underway said “We are here to show Support and commitment to our partners“.
Microsoft is committed to the success of our partner ecosystem. – Ibrahim Youssry
Our Success is to make you successful. It is a different mindset. – Ibrahim Youssry
For Ibrahim it was a pleasure to be in Ghana meeting with partners. Microsoft’s new subsidiary MCC covers 67 countries across Africa and the Middle East with a focus on enterprise business. Microsoft doesn’t have presence in all these 67 countries. He said our focus directionally behind the MCC is to leverage our partner ecosystem to drive their businesses so we scale our purpose.
“Microsoft wants to provide partners with much more assistance and support. With the new model Microsoft is committed to the success of our partner ecosystem. Our success comes with success to our partner ecosystem. To make you successful driving Microsoft business or your business on our technologies. It is a different mindset.” – Ibrahim Youssry
Ibrahim also shared that for the first time in Microsoft’s history in Africa it recorded an 18% growth.
Partners meet Ghana Country Manager at Partner CEO Forum
It is the value we can add to your organization. – Akin Banuso, Country manager Nigeria and Ghana
Partners were introduced to new Country Manager under the new MCC model Akin Banuso. Akin Banuso, Country manager for Nigeria and Ghana told partners “The future is bright”.
“In Ghana we want partners that are committed. Partners that will talk to customers about the solutions that really matter to them”. For Microsoft he said “it is the value we can add to your organization. The idea is we are going to scale through partners.”
Partners are the growth engine for Microsoft and Microsoft is the engine for partners.
– Ola Williams, Partner Technology Manager MCC
Microsoft MCC Partner Technology Manager Ola Williams told partners without you our partners, we can’t be successful. The new model is a desire to scale through partners across most of our markets. She mentioned Microsoft has made significant investments in new resources with capabilities to help partners achieve aim. The aim to jointly help customers in their digital transformation journey.
She iterated partners are the growth engine for Microsoft and Microsoft is the engine for partners. We want to scale through partners. We are investing to help partners and customers.
The whole conversation from speaker to speaker was on how Microsoft together with partners can achieve growth together.
Microsoft to partner with 15 nonprofits in 8 countries to upskill 1.4 million youths in computer science across the Middle East and Africa region.
By the next three years, Microsoft wants to impart digital skills to 10 million youths in Middle East and Africa. To reach this goal Microsoft plans to work with nonprofit organizations. Organizations whose mission aligns with its focus on computer science education.
Microsoft says “Digital Skills are becoming essential for the jobs of today and tomorrow. These skills can open doors to greater economic opportunities in the work place of the future. Microsoft believes in a future where every young person has the skills, knowledge and opportunity to succeed“.
Microsoft will work with 15 nonprofits in 8 countries across the Middle East and Africa region to upskill 1.4 million youths in computer science.
Nonprofits will receive grants through the Microsoft YouthSpark initiative. With a target of being able train 13,000 educators to teach digital skills to youths across the region.
Microsoft hopes to reach new goals with this initiative. That 80 percent of the beneficiaries will represent underserved communities and 50 percent female.
