While many people talk about AI, a group of tech experts in Accra is doing the hard work. They are building real tools to help Ghana’s fashion and art businesses grow.
A recent 7-hour event at YOTA in East Legon brought together 60 builders. Hundreds of people signed up for the event, including business owners, students, and software developers. They worked together to solve real problems for local fashion shops.
Building for Long-Term Success
This event is part of a consistent effort to grow Ghana’s tech ecosystem. It was co-hosted by John Pabi Ntifo, who serves as a Strategic Advisor at Coded, and Anthony Dodzi Lithur, founder of Coded E-Matrix Technology Ltd. The focus was on ensuring that teams built tools that were practical and could be used by businesses over the long term.
“The goal was to help teams build software the right way,” said Lithur. “By using professional methods, the teams weren’t just writing code. They were building real tools that solve actual problems for our partner businesses.”
Planning with Visual Tools
A key part of the event’s success was the use of systems thinking and visual planning. As a Miro Meetups Ambassador, John Pabi Ntifo showed the teams how to use Miro to plan their projects before writing any code. This helped them map out how their apps would work and how different parts of the software would talk to each other.
“To build good products fast, you need a clear plan,” Ntifo explained. “The best teams were the ones that used Miro to plan everything first. It helped them turn their ideas into real products that worked well.”
Event Winners and Innovation
The sprint showcased significant talent within the local tech community. The judges picked winners based on how useful their tools were for the creative sector:
- PHASHION SENSE Track: Kafui Ashiagbor, Chukwuemeka Samuel, and Ryan Ofori-Koree won the top prize for a web app that includes TikTok integration, customer measurement tools, and a virtual try-on feature.
- MENSAH Track: Theophilus Kyei-Charway won for an interactive app that helps customers find their correct size when shopping online.
- Honourable Mention: Eldad Opare was recognized for a web app featuring a chatbot and an inventory management system.
Scaling for the Future
Following the success of this sprint, Coded E-Matrix Technology is planning a much larger event. The next goal is to bring together more than 100 builders, developers, and founders to build even more tools for the agritech, fintech, and creative sectors.
“The tech talent in Accra is ready for big tasks,” the team noted. “We are building products here in Africa to help our own businesses grow. Our next event with 100+ people will help us do even more.”John Pabi Ntifo mentioned.
Coded E-Matrix Technology is a tech collective and platform that bridges the gap between software talent and the commercial needs of Africa’s growing economy. By hosting build sprints, workshops, and providing a marketplace for local digital products, Coded helps turn code into revenue-generating tools for businesses. The organization is committed to consistently supporting the sector through regular builds and community engagement.
