The University of Ghana has carried out its sixth laptop distribution under the One Student One Laptop (1S1L) initiative to promote digital access, inclusion, and academic success across all levels of study.
The latest distribution, which took place on Wednesday July 30,2025, reaffirms the institution’s commitment to equipping students with the necessary tools to thrive in an increasingly digital learning environment.
Launched in December 2021, the 1S1L initiative forms part of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo’s vision to ensure that no student is excluded from academic opportunities due to a lack of access to digital learning tools.
Since the initiative began, the university has received 956 laptops through corporate donations and institutional procurement. Of these, 761 have been distributed to students so far, including the 116 handed out in the current phase. A total of 195 laptops remain in stock for future distributions.
Applications for the sixth round opened in May 2025 and closed on June 4. Out of 512 applications submitted, 157 students completed the full process. The Selection Committee interviewed candidates between July 17 and 20, and 116 students were shortlisted based on transparency, equity and academic merit.
Among the selected students, 77 were in Level 100, representing 66.4 percent of the total. Nineteen were in Level 200 (16.4 percent), 18 were in Level 300 (15.5 percent), and two were postgraduate students (1.7 percent). In terms of gender, 76 recipients were male (65.5 percent), while 40 were female (34.5 percent).
Present at the ceremony were key members of the university’s leadership, including the Registrar and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Gordon Awandare.
Chair of the 1S1L Implementation Committee, Prof. K. O. Kortey, noted that the initiative is structured to serve three main purposes: to provide free laptops to brilliant but needy students, to offer subsidized laptops to those who can afford part of the cost, and to begin assembling laptops locally at the University of Ghana.
“Our goal is to shift from distribution to actual production on campus. This will enhance sustainability and make the devices more accessible in the long term,” he said.
The 1S1L initiative continues to receive support from various partners and remains focused on expanding access to digital tools for students across the university.
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Story by Karenhappuch Efua Eyison|univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Michelle Lartey