DIPPER Lab, GRAIN hold second co-construction meeting on GEDI framework for SIWA under ObaaSIWA project

DIPPER Lab has held its second co-construction stakeholder meeting with the Gender and Responsible Artificial Intelligence Network (GRAIN) to advance the development of the Gender Equality and Digital Inclusion (GEDI) framework and SIWA under the ObaaSIWA project.

The project is funded under the EmpowerHerAI initiative.

The meeting forms part of an ongoing collaboration between DIPPER Lab and GRAIN to develop digital tools that promote gender equality and responsible artificial intelligence across Africa.

Discussions focused on gathering input to guide the development of the SIWA application, which is designed to respond to the needs of marginalised communities, particularly women, while ensuring digital systems are user-centred.

The session was led by Prof. Joel Nwakaire and Dioulli Kane as part of the co-construction process.

Prof. Nwakaire emphasised the importance of collaboration and collective input in shaping the platform.

 “Brainstorming at meetings like this makes the app very, very robust,” he said.

Prof. Nwakaire also proposed integrating inclusion-focused training into academic programmes, particularly within the KNUST Computer Engineering Department.

“In your department, Computer Engineering, you can create a niche for training on inclusion so students have it as part of their foundation before they graduate,” he said.

Also present at the meeting was Magatte Kebe, Communications Officer at GRAIN.

The Gender and Responsible Artificial Intelligence Network is funded under the Artificial Intelligence for Development programme.

The meeting brought together key members of the project team, including Scientific Director of DIPPER Lab, Prof. Eric Tutu Tchao; Deputy Scientific Director, Dr. Selasi Agbemenu; Gender and Inclusion Lead, Dr. Elikplim Abui Tamakloe; Administrator, Mrs. Christiana Selorm Aggor;  Climate Change and Ecosystem Monitoring Lead, Dr. Enoch Bessah and the Child Health and Innovation Lead, Dr. Prince Odame.

 The co-construction meeting highlighted the role of collaborative design in developing technology solutions that reflect the realities of communities.