The Africa Makerspace Gathering 2020 Comes Off As A Hybrid Event
he Second Edition of Africa Makerspace Gathering (AMG), a signature program of the Africa Makerspace Network (AMN) has been held in Accra.
The two-day event was supported by Careables, Kumasi Hive, Ghana Tech Lab and Africa Open Science Hardware. It was on the theme; “The Role of African Makerspaces in Addressing Covid-19.”
The annual event seeks to set a dialogue for communication among makers, relevant industry stakeholders and also facilitates inter-makerspaces collaboration on the African continent.
This year’s edition came off as a hybrid event due to the covid-19 pandemic. Speaking to the Digital Times Africa, Project Lead, Kumasi Hive, Miss Gertrude Mawuena Goh indicated that “participants gathered at centers in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Cote D’Ivoire and Zimbabwe to join other participants across the globe virtually to make the event happen”.
According to her though the event was held both virtually and physically participants were drawn from across Africa and beyond.
She called on Maker Spaces across Africa to come together and collaborate on projects and initiatives that will help the African continent and beyond.
Guest Speaker and Managing Associate Ghana Tech Lab, Mr. Edward Akani stated that bringing Makers across Africa together ensures that critical solutions are developed to support the African continent especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The AMG 2020 edition saw six exhibitions from Purple Future Trust in Zimbabwe, Twende Social Innovation Center in Tanzania, TMG Makerspace in South Africa and Careables Assistive Technology, Kumasi, Ghana Tech Lab as well as Kumasi Hive in Ghana.
Furthermore, there was another guest speaking on Makerspaces and the Health Sector by Dr. Abena Tannor in addition to four workshops in the areas of Africa Makerspaces and the Building of Assistive Technology by Ms. Freda Gbande, Introduction to Biomaker using XOD by Mr. Prince Edem Samoh, Introduction to Design for Additive Manufacturing by Mr. Chukwubuikem Amaefule, Introduction to Shape Optimization using Fusion 360 and Introduction to Robot Simulation using ROS by Mr. Evans Djangbah.
Participants had very interactive and insightful discussions centered on increasing female participation in makerspaces, the contribution of AMN to the health sector in Africa, standardization of products from makerspaces and the future of makers post covid-19.
The entire event was climaxed with a presentation of the Covid-19 Solution Honours to recognize TMG Makerspace and Purple Future Trust for their contribution towards the fight against covid-19. The AMN is open to welcome makers on the African continent. Interested persons are entreated to visit our website for more information on http://africamakerspace.net/ Also reach us via facebook, instagram or twitter on Africa Makerspace Gathering.
