An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) center has been erected for the Aiyinasi Methodist Junior High School in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region to train children to be in tune with modern technology.
Despite the fact that ICT is an examinable subject in Ghana's education curriculum, pupils at the basic level at Aiyinasi and its environs, have had to endure ICT lessons without a practical feel of computers.
The facility is equipped with 27 desktop computers, 27 laptops, a projector and a printer.
Mr. Obed Kanra, a native of Aiyinasi and based in Netherlands, who donated the equipment to the school, said he was touched when he got to know that the school lacked basic facilities like ICT centre.
Addressing the gathering, Headmaster of the school, Francis Sam Magnus, was overjoyed by the development saying the days of very bad results in the BECE so far as ICT goes will soon be a thing of the past.
He also expressed gratitude to the donor and asked God's blessings for him. Mr. Magnus appealed to other benevolent organisations and the government to help them with ceiling fans as well as standby generator so that the centre could operate in case of any power outrage.
The Headmaster used the occasion to appeal to parents to pay keen attention to their kids and stop them from patronizing night clubs for entertainment which as it has the tendency to bring their educational career to an end.
He also appealed to the government to reduce the cost of duties at the ports so that people who are willing to bring computers into the country to support other schools will do so.
The chief of the area, Nana Etwe Kpanyinli VI, urged parents to instil discipline in their wards.
He appealed to the school authority to allow the surrounding schools to have access to the facility.
The chief also urged both teachers and pupils to handle the facility and equipment with care.
A representative from the Ellembelle District Education Directorate, Nana Akye-Blay II, said there was the need for every child of school-going age to be in school than to be at home.
He thanked the school and donor for their enthusiastic and unwavering support towards the project.
He revealed that the District will help the facility to last long and achieve its purpose. He also advised the pupils to take their studies seriously and utilize the facility.
Speaking to GhanaWeb after the ceremony, Mr. Godbless Ackah, a teacher of the school, noted that pupils will now be familiar with technology and indicated that the centre will improve their performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Present at the ceremony were representatives of the Aiyinasi Methodist Church, Ellembelle District Education Directorate, staff and pupils of some surrounding schools and also Traditional Rulers in the area.