Koforidua, Feb. 22, GNA - Eastern Region is to establish the first Electronic-Governing Learning Centre in Ghana to use Information Communication and Technology (ICT) to fast-track governance and development at the grassroots.

The project would ensure a "near-paperless" system of administration at both the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council (ERCC) and the 17 Municipal and District Assemblies to improve their output, ensure efficiency, quality service and enhance accountability. Mr Charles Annang, a System Analyst and Consultant, told a meeting of the ERCC at Koforidua on Tuesday, that when completed, the project would link the assemblies to a central data management centre based at Koforidua to enhance their service delivery. He said in addition to being the first region to embark on such a project, Eastern Region would be the first in Africa with the assistance of the assemblies to ensure that the pace to roll out the project proceeded on schedule.

The project, Mr Annang hinted, could become a major source of revenue for the assemblies, when they establish facilities such as cyber parks that were currently in high demand.

He said there was an increasing demand for Internet services by people in the districts and urged the assemblies to start expending resources in that regard.

Mr Sylvester Manu, Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Director, pointed out that when established, staff at the ERCC would be expected to ensure that some administrative work were done through electronic mail to fast track governance and improve on service delivery. He cautioned the staff that those who failed to avail themselves of computer technology would be left behind.