Python African Tour Ghana (Day1)

Picture Credit: @Nnenna

Python African Tour (PAT) Ghana started yesterday, 18th January, at African University College of Communications, Adabraka. The week-long Python programming workshop attracted a handful of students, developers and tech entrepreneurs in Ghana.

Day 1 commenced behind schedule with a brief welcome address by Mr Kwabena Mantey of African University College of Communications. Mr Mantey stressed in his delivery that technology plays a key role in communication and AUCC's mission; that is why the university is supportive of initiatives aimed at improving technology in Africa. Next, Gameli Adzaho of the PAT Ghana team explained what PAT was all about and how Ghana is excited to be the fourth stop of the continental tour. Day 1's training was handled by the Hutspace team composed of Emmanuel Okyere and Kweku Danso. They took participants, mainly programming newbies, through:

1. What is programming?
2. Computer languages-interpreted versus compiled
3. Intro to Python-General overview of features
4. Installation of Python interpreter on windows machines
5. Python versus Java
6. Playing with Python in interaction mode
7. Different types of errors
8. Value, expression, variables, functions
9. Making a simple function to evaluate the area of a circle

Attendees were engaged throughout the day and were enthusiastic about attending subsequent days of training.

Python African Tour Ghana runs from 18th January to 22nd January, from 9 am to 5 pm. It has been put together by the Python African Tour (Ghana) team supported by Hutspace, Ghana Google Technology User Group (Ghana GTUG) and Fedora Linux Project. The tour is generously sponsored by Google, BECATEC, Ageliaco and Python Software Foundation/Python Sprints.

Latest Updates on Python African Tour Ghana

Python African Tour is just three days away from stopping in Accra, Ghana. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to learn about one of the most versatile modern programming languages, and what it can do in terms of science and development in Africa. Here are some quick updates relating to the Ghana leg of the tour.

AUCC and GTUC Will Jointly Host PAT Ghana
PAT Ghana will take place from 18th to 22nd January 2011. The schedule is as follows:

• Day 1: Introduction to Python


• Day 2: Introduction to Python (cont.)


• Day 3: Introduction to Web Development with Python (particularly with Django)


• Day 4: Python Sprint/Hackathon


• Day 5: Python Sprint/Hackathon (cont.)

African University College of Communications (Google Map) will host the workshops/tutorials while the Sprints/Hackathon will be held at Ghana Telecom University College (Google Map)

More Partners and Sponsors on Board
Fedora Linux Project has joined forces with the PAT Ghana team and other organisations/groups such as Ghana Google Technology User Group (Ghana GTUG) and Hutspace to run the training workshop.

PAT Ghana is sponsored by Google, BECATEC, Ageliaco and Python Software Foundation/ Python Sprints. Their kind donation is making this possible. Check out the sponsorship options available and contribute to this worthy cause.

Connect with PAT
You can email any inquiries to the PAT Ghana team via PATGhana@gmail.com or connect through their Facebook page or Twitter.

To participate in the workshop, register using the form available at the PAT website. Spread the word!

GhanaGTUG Holds First Meeting

I was privileged to be part of the very first meeting of Ghana Google Technology Users Group (GhanaGTUG) held last Friday, 5th March, at the yet-to-be-inaugurated offices of Google Ghana. GhanaGTUG is a group of Ghanaian software developers and technology enthusiasts who actively use Google products. Present at the meet-up were the founding members of GhanaGTUG and staff of the new Google Ghana office. The programme lasted for approximately one hour and was excellent in terms of its educative and social value.

The meeting was kick started by Jojoo Imbeah, organiser of the event, who informed the gathering that the idea of forming a GTUG in Ghana was conceived during Google technology breakout sessions at BarCamp Ghana 2009. He also went on to mention the advantages of using Google technology, pointing out that Google technology helps developers and users to make and save money.

Google Ghana's Office Lead, Estelle Akofio-Sowah was the next to speak. In her submission Estelle said that Google's main goal in Sub-Saharan Africa, consistent with its mission of acquiring, reorganizing and presenting all of the world's information, is to get as many people as possible online. She explained further that the company intends to achieve its objective by ensuring the availability or relevant content, easy access to gadgets and the Internet and the development of a wide array of products that are useful in every facet of daily life and business. She stressed that the company does not have any immediate financial intention in relation to its operations in this part of the world. Estelle, who was very excited about the formation of GhanaGTUG, called for the formation of more GTUGs throughout the country and promised to work in close collaboration with the group and other stakeholders in Ghana's Internet industry. She stated that the Google Ghana office is open to ideas from GhanaGTUG, and other groups , and called for their support, feedback and ideas so that Google can deliver more to meet their technology needs.

There were also few demonstrations and technical presentations to round up activities for the day. A short video that explained what GTUGs do was shown. This was followed by a presentation on mobile development for the Android platform by Ushahidi developer Henry Addo. Finally, Richard Ngamita, a Googler originally from the Nairobi office, gave a detailed presentation on various Google products and developer resources such as Map Maker, App Engine, API and Local Business Center (LBC). Richard emphasised the obvious advantages of these products to Africa as they are free or very affordable.

After Richard's presentation, there were presentations of Google souvenirs to lucky attendees. This was followed by refreshment which was kindly sponsored by Google. Participants took the opportunity to meet new people, discuss projects they are working on and to generally interact among themselves.

Overall, the event was a great success thanks to the efforts of the organising team , coordinated by the tireless Joojo Imbeah, all those who attended and Google Ghana. Please also check out tweets from various attendees.