Accra, Aug.10, GNA – The MTN Ghana Foundation, on Wednesday commissioned the first of 10 MTN Information Communication Technology (ICT) centers for learning at New Ningo in the Greater Accra Region.

The project was aimed at complementing government’s efforts at bridging the digital gap between pupils in the urban and rural communities as well as supporting the implementation of the mandatory ICT component of the new educational reform.

It also forms part of the MTN ICT Centres of learning being implemented in conjunction with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ghana, with the aim of bringing ICT service closer to the underserved and deprived communities in the country.

Mr Michael Ikpoki, Chief Executive Officer, MTN, Ghana said the project was designed to address key issues of quality human capacity development, wealth creation through promotion and development of entrepreneurship and empowerment of vulnerable groups through improved access to and usage of information.

He said, “MTN always sets the pace for others to follow and that realizing ICT education deficit in the country we took up the challenge to complement government’s efforts in the area”.

Mr Ikpoki noted that ICT had represented a major component of the new educational reform, and could be used to unlock value, creativity and opportunities for young people to be constructively engaged and make significant benefits of their lives.

Dr Kamil Kamaluddeen, Country Director, UNDP Ghana, said the United Nations had been at the forefront of the global initiative to create a well informed and knowledge based information society through the creation of digital economies.

He said the overall intended impact of the project was to help transform the national educational system and create an environment capable of producing the right type of skills and human resources required for developing and driving Ghana’s information and knowledge based economy and society.

The project would contribute to the deployment and spread of ICT across Ningo and other beneficiary communities to improve access to computer training, internet connectivity, ICT infrastructure and ultimately improve performance of students, he added.

Mr Kamaluddeen urged the community to see the project as a starting point for exploring alternative livelihood for the younger generation and transform basic education to develop children into excellent driven, innovative, and creative adults.

Rt. Lord Paul Boating, Patron, MTN Ghana Foundation, said it was through the availability of such centres that young minds could develop and solve the existing problems of the African continent.

He urged the beneficiaries to nurture and care for the centre and to make sure it was used for the intended purpose.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communication, noted that ICT was the key to the future of the country and there was no excuse to disregard its essence in the development of the country.

He commended MTN for the excellent work done adding that government would continue to partner with the private sector to bring ICT to the door steps of the people.

Other dignitaries in attendance to grace the occasion were the Member of Parliament for Ningo and Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Mahama Ayarigah, and the Chief of New Ningo, Nene Teye Djangma IV.

The other nine ICT centres would be located at Adidome, in the Volta Region, Asiama in the Western Region, Komenda in the Central Region, Kpong in the Eastern Region, Nyinahin, Ashanti Region, Techimantia, Brong Ahafo Region, Tolon, Northern Region, Pwalugu, Upper East and Hamile in the Upper West Region.