Wa, Nov. 8, GNA - Students of the University of Hong Kong, China, will establish a computer laboratory for Hain community in the Jirapa District next year.

The students are expected to initially provide 10 computers and help the people to mobilise resources towards the completion of the project. Mr. Evans Sinkari, Executive, Director of Rural Aid Action Programme (RAAP), a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), made this known when he and the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. Caesar Kale briefed the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. Mahmud Khalid on the project, at Wa. This was after their return from a visit to Hong Kong, at the invitation of the students.

Mr Sinkari said the University's International Exchange Programme and the Centre of Development and Resources for Students had agreed to a proposal for students exchange programmes between the Upper West Region and the University.

He said 30 students would come to the region in December and work with the NGO as part of the programme. Mr Sinkari said RAAP had negotiated the signing of a long-term partnership agreement with the host organisation on similar visits and posting of volunteers to the region each year. He suggested the establishment of Sister-City relationship between the Ghana and China.

"We met Oxfam Hong Kong, Fair Trade, Hong Kong Council for Social Services, HKU AIDS Institute and Crossroads, who agreed to collaborate with RAAP and the Upper West Region at various levels and on specific issues", Mr. Sinkari said. Mr Sinkari said the team shared the socio-economic experiences of Ghana with students and other officials but they were unable to meet the business community and government officials. "There is attractive business environment. There is very high willingness to do business with Ghanaians and government to government bilateral relationship can be explored for development support", he said. 8 Nov. 09