The team behind the hackathon
HCI Lab, University of Ghana
Our research is driven by a singular vision: Design for change and inclusion. We are a multidisciplinary team of researchers, developers, and designers working at the intersection of technology and human behavior. Learn about our publications →
Prof. Isaac Wiafe
Professor of Information Technology, University of Ghana
Under Prof. Wiafe’s leadership, the HCI Lab has transformed from a local research initiative into a globally recognized hub for indigenous technology innovation. His vision centers on the belief that for technology to be truly transformative in Africa, it must be built upon the linguistic and cultural foundations of its people.
He spearheads our commitment to the Tɛkyerɛma Pa hackathon, ensuring that every dataset generated and every model built serves the goal of linguistic equity and digital sovereignty for Ghanaian languages.
The lab
The Human-Computer Interaction Lab sits in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Ghana. Meet the researchers, read our publications, and follow the work we are doing on inclusive language technology.
What the lab brings to the hackathon
A premier, curated dataset of 5,000+ hours of transcribed speech across five Ghanaian languages.
Proprietary raw audio infrastructure providing high-fidelity training data for deep learning models.
Pre-trained base models for Automatic Speech Recognition, optimized for local tonal nuances.
Text-to-Speech models that give Akan and Ewe a natural synthetic voice for assistive and everyday use.
Standardized digital input toolsets for specialized characters in Akan and Ewe orthographies.
Why Tɛkyerɛma Pa
Tɛkyerɛma Pa (meaning “The Good Tongue”) is not just a competition; it is a movement to reclaim our digital future. By opening up our proprietary data and models, the HCI Lab aims to empower the next generation of Ghanaian developers to build human-centered AI that understands us, literally.
Our mission is to foster an ecosystem where language is no longer a barrier to digital participation. We provide the tools, the guidance, and the data; you provide the vision and the innovation to solve local problems with global standards.
