• September 03, 2024
• 3 min read

_{AfricaOSH Summit – Credits to: AfricaOSH}

The AfricaOSH Summit 2024, was held at the Academic City University in Accra.  This two-day event brought members of the Africa Open Science Hardware (OSH) community together under the theme “Making Open Science Hardware Ubiquitous for a Sustainable Africa”.  Following the legacy of previous summits in Kumasi, Ghana; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Yaoundé, Cameroon, the 2024 summit focused on practical applications and fostering collaborative strategies for sustainable development.

Watch the latest mAkE talk about the AfricaOSH Summit:

The summit kicked off with presentations showcasing various sustainable projects. These sessions highlighted how open science and hardware could play a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Attendees participated in workshops that offered hands-on experiences in makerspaces, underscoring the importance of open science initiatives in developing sustainable solutions.

_{AfricaOSH Summit – Credits to: AfricaOSH}

The mAkE project

The summit spotlighted the mAkE project, a key dissemination partner. The event featured an introduction to the Open Makerspace Toolkit (OMT), led by Kwaku Effa, the manager of Aaenics makerspace in Ghana. The session equipped 29 participants with the necessary skills to utilize the OMT, and Kwaku shared his insights on the toolkit’s benefits in his work as a maker and makerspace manager. Feedback from 17 participants was collected, providing valuable insights to enhance the toolkit’s relevance and utility for the community. 

The mAkE project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, which advocates for decent work and economic growth. By focusing on making makerspaces more sustainable, the mAkE project plays a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and creating decent work opportunities for the AfricaOSH community members. The dissemination of the mAkE project to community members at the summit was in perfect harmony with the event’s overarching theme, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable development and innovation in Africa.

Although representatives from the Ministry of Environmental Science, Technology, and Innovation could not attend the event, a virtual dialogue was held with Mr. Nashiru Salifu, the Deputy Director of Science, Technology, and Innovation at the Ministry. This discussion centred around the policy document related to open science, which Mr. Salifu recognized as a critical piece of information. The Ministry requested a copy of the policy document and the OMT. The ministry has expressed its willingness to support the mAkE project to establish a thriving ecosystem for makerspaces in Ghana.

The Road Ahead: Building on Success

The AfricaOSH Summit 2024 demonstrated the tangible benefits of open science and hardware and emphasized the growing influence of grassroots innovation on national policy. The event received significant national media coverage, raising awareness and garnering support for the mAkE project. The success of the summit in Accra has set a new standard for future gatherings, reinforcing the mission to make open science hardware ubiquitous across Africa.

Looking forward, the AfricaOSH community will continue to build on the momentum gained at the summit. Monthly calls will focus on disseminating the various work packages of the mAkE project, including the Training of Trainers sessions, policy document discussions, the Map of Machines initiative, the distributed manufacturing network, and the Maker Passport program. Together, these efforts will drive progress and prosperity across the continent, ensuring that open science and innovation are accessible to all.

_{AfricaOSH Summit – Credits to: AfricaOSH}

Check out the presentation here: