Manso-Watreso (Ash.), Nov. 19, GNA - The United Nations (UN) Millennium Villages Project (MVP) at Bonsaaso in the Amansie West District has been provided with a 3.5G mobile communication infrastructure to boost internet access.

This was jointly launched by ZAIN, a global telecommunication giant and Ericsson, cell phone handset manufacturer.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Communications Minister, praised the two companies for the initiative to enhance internet connectivity in rural communities.

The MVP seeks to work with the poor in partnership with governments and other committed stakeholders, providing affordable science-based solutions to problems.

Mr Iddrisu spoke of the government's determination to ensure that all the districts are connected to the internet to promote Information Communication Technology (ICT)-led development.

Ericsson and Zain had earlier in the year donated handsets, SIM cards and fixed wireless terminals to schools, health facilities and learning centres in the Bonsaaso Villages Cluster, which is made up of 30 communities.

Mr Philip Sowah, Zain's Country Manager, said this was their contribution to the nation's efforts at halving poverty by 2015.

He said they appreciated the Villages Project as good example of how the private sector could work with governments and aid agencies to achieve the common goal of ending extreme poverty in Africa.

His Company would therefore continue to support the Bonsaaso Cluster. The Vice President of Ericsson, Mr Lars Linden, said education was the single most powerful tool to help Africa climb out of poverty. Mr Samuel Asare Afram, the Cluster Manager, said they were grate= ful for the support.