Kumasi, June 5, GNA - The Ghana Postal Services has embarked on an initiative to diversify its operations in order to remain viable in the face of challenge posed by Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

As part of the initiative GP has began the construction of Post net caf=E9 services to provide secretarial services, computer training as well as video conferencing call facilities and V-sat Satellite interactive services to the public. Mr. Kofi Dua-Adonteng, Managing Director of GP, said this at a sod cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction of a post net caf=E9 at the central post office in Kumasi on Thursday. He said the first phase of the project had already started in Kumasi and Accra, adding that the second phase would involve the construction of 200 of such centres across the country. The project is being sponsored by the Hyperlink Network Investment Systems, a wholly Ghanaian ICT firm, Kron Finance and Investment Limited and Ghana Post.

Mr Dua-Adonteng said the introduction of the programme had become necessary due to the fact that the traditional postal industry was being threatened by the advent of ICT. He said the activities proposed in the project were designed to remove barriers to the wide scale utilization of ICT to meet the basic needs of individuals in terms of internet, fax, printing, scanning, V-sat satellite among others. Mr. Emmanuel Kobby Yawson, Project Manager for Hyperlink, said the project which would be managed by his company would provide high speed internet, computer and digital services, office products and services, video conferencing as well as postal and courier associated services to the public.