On 3 November 2017 the Grade 11 and 12 ITGS students embarked on a field trip to the Vodafone offices in Accra. The aim of the trip was for students to have a first-hand experience of the tech world. This helped students understand the role networks and databases play in the data centres as well as the security protocols that have been put in place amongst others. It also offered them the opportunity to interact with experts in the IT field.
Below are some reflections from students.
Last Friday we embarked on a trip to Vodafone Ghana to go and see the network architecture and how data is stored in the data centre. We kicked off the trip by going to one of the Vodafone branches located in Community 18, Spintex Road. Here we got an insight into the operations of Vodafone. I realized Vodafone does more than just supply credit or a mobile network to the people of Ghana but they also indulge in IT solutions and a mobile money system called Vodafone cash. I also learnt about their internet structure and how they are now involved in laying fibre optic cables underground to homes so that residents can receive fast internet. We then met an alumni of TIS, Selassie who currently works at Vodafone as a computer analyst or MIS specialist who gave us a great presentation on Vodafone and then took a trip with us to the Vodafone head office at Airport City. When we got here we met some top officials of Vodafone including Angela Mensah Poku who is the Director of the Enterprise Business Unit & Wholesale. She gave us a chance to ask questions on Vodafone and the business part of Vodafone. We also got the chance to sit in the main Vodafone board room where serious decisions concerning the network of Ghana takes place and this was a nice experience because we felt like directors of Vodafone sitting there. The most interesting part of the trip was visit to the data centre. Though it was a really long journey, it was worth it because I got to see a proper data centre for the first time and the amount of maintenance that goes into ensuring the servers containing the data are working well. The workers were very nice and open- minded in terms of our questions and most importantly patient. The trip was a very insightful and exciting one.
~Andrew Nartey, Grade 12
The field trip was a memorable and informative session as we were exposed to how Vodafone Ghana runs their systems and provides good quality service to the country. We first visited the Vodafone office on the Spintex road where one of our own TIS alumna gave a short presentation on what Vodafone entails as a whole and their services. After which we proceeded to Vodafone Headquarters to interact with one of their directors. The highlight of the day was our visit to the Vodafone data centre at Gbawe where we saw the links and cables and got to understand how the service is run . I really appreciate the fact that we were given the opportunity to experience such and I would like to thank the teachers who accompanied us and TIS for such an opportunity.
~Jacqueline Tetteh, Grade 12
During the field trip to the Vodafone headquarters in Ghana, I was introduced to the business division of the telecommunications company, where they used enterprise resource planning software and other evaluative programs to improve the workflow and efficiency of SME’s in the country. This experience really showed me the real transformative power of technology and the ability to be successful financially whiles genuinely wanting to improve the quality of life of the average person. This experience really set off a light bulb in my head and has driven me to pursue a deeper understanding of software and the different stages at which it is developed and implemented.
~David Masoperh, Grade 12
The ITGS trip was a very helpful to us as we were studying about Networks in our course. Not only was it insightful, it was fun as we were all well treated thanks to Vodafone. The highlight of was when we set sights on the complex data center. I encourage all students to widen the view of the modern use of technology as we are heading to future with something greater in our hands
~Nathan Ashiabor, Grade 12
On this trip we got meet Selasi, an alumna who gave us a presentation and the various aspects of Vodafone. I was intrigued to hear about the plans Vodafone had to help illiterates find work to cater for themselves and keep them off the streets. We then went to the Vodafone headquarters where we met Angela Mensah-Poku, Head of Enterprise Business Unit & Wholesale who spoke to us about many different things and encouraged us to study hard and utilize all of our privileges.
After speaking with Ms.Mensah-Poku, we continued our journey to the data centre in Gbawe where we were shown the power plants and the UPS (uninterruptible power supply) that they use to ensure that the database does not lose power at any time. We were also shown the room with the surveillance and where they could see what was happening in other data centres in Ghana.
Overall, the trip was highly educative and exposed me to many things I never knew I had interests in. It made me think of what I would like to do in the near future, that I do not necessarily need to do what I have a degree in. It also taught me that technological communication is where we should be and encouraged me to look at many other things I have an interest in.
~Valerie Vigbedor, Grade 11
The ITGS trip to Vodafone was a very insightful one. Getting to see the hardware that we are taught in class and actually understanding how these hardware aid Vodafone to satisfy the needs of all of their clients. Also getting to personally talk to workers of the Vodafone was very nice as we got to ask questions.
To cut a long story short, this trip is one that has really helped me and improved my understanding of the processes that we are taught in class.
~Daniel Asiedu, Grade 11
