West Blue Consulting, the technical partners of the Ghana National Single Window (GNSW) project is collaborating with Ghana@60 Committee to build 60 electronic libraries (e-libraries) in 60 selected deprived communities in the country.

The e-library project which was launched in Accra today as part of the programmes of Ghana’s 60th anniversary celebrations, aims at improving reading and learning among children and young people in the rural areas of the West African country. The names of the 60 deprived communities will be announced later by the Committee.

The brick and mortar, container, and mobile van libraries under the project will be equipped with internet enabled computers and laptops, among others. Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of West Consulting, Madam Valentina Mintah said: “We are at West Blue Consulting are indeed very honoured to be working with the Ghana@60 Committee to support Ghana’s developmental agenda”.

“As a proud African and fiercely Ghanaian ICT solutions company, we are very passionate about the role Information, Communication and Technology plays in our society, and believe that the Ghana@60 Library Programme will ensure that the marginalised groups in the selected areas, are empowered with knowledge to participate fully and actively in society”.

With access to Information and Technology in their local communities, not only will community members be able to communicate -our girls will learn to embrace femininity whilst being strong, our boys mighty and constructive, and our youth, to dream big; complimented by sound life plans, according to Madam Mintah.

“The adults and elderly, will not be left out especially the BBCs (Born Before Computers). The Ghana@60 Library programme, will cater for them too, ensuring that they are upskilled to participate in today’s technology world, whilst equipping them to effectively parent today’s “Snapchat” and “Instagram” child”.

This programme, she explained would adopt a PPC approach – Public; Private and Community to ensure its sustainability.

We will ensure full participation from all stakeholders, from design through build, to management, aiding local employment, Madam Valentina stressed. She used the occasion to call on individuals, businesses, NGOs, among others to engage with the Ghana@60 Committee to lend their skills, passion, financial contributions etc to developmental projects, “as together we can mobilise for Ghana’s future”.

On his part, the Director Operations at the Presidency and a member of the Committee, Lord Commey was emphatic the library project would be completed by the close of the year.

The Chairman of the Ghana @ 60 Committee, Ken Amankwah thanked the management of West Blue Consulting for coming to their aid. He urged all Ghanaians to support the programme to succeed. Ghana is the first black African country to throw off the yoke of British imperialism on 6th March 1957