Ningo, 10th August, 2011 – The MTN Ghana Foundation has commissioned the first of 10 MTN ICT Centers of Learning on August 10, 2011 at Ningo in the Greater Accra region.  The total cost of the 10 projects is GH¢1,111,773.

The project forms part of the MTN ICT Centres of Learning being implemented in conjunction with UNDP Ghana with the aim of bringing ICT services closer to the underserved and deprived communities in the country.

In 2008, the MTN Ghana Foundation, entered into a strategic agreement with UNDP Ghana to develop the MTN ICT Learning Centres Projects through out the country.  The 10 ICT centres are to be furnished with 220 desktop computers, 10 laptops, 10 projectors, 10 colour printers, 10 photocopiers, 10 scanners and digital cameras along with the requisite furniture in all the 10 regions of Ghana.

This intervention is aimed at complementing government’s efforts at bridging the digital gap between pupils in the urban and rural communities as well as supporting the implementation of the mandatory ICT component of the new Educational Reform.

Speaking at the commissioning of the project, a Patron of MTN Foundation, His Excellency Lord Boateng said, “I am pleased to see MTN, together with its development partners UNDP and the various Ministries take this great step towards accelerating the usage of ICT in the rural communities, by establishing ICT centers in all the 10 regions of the country“. He commented that it was through the availability of such centers that young minds could develop and solve the existing problems of the African continent.  He urged the beneficiaries to nurture and care for the centre and to make sure it was used for the intended purpose Mr. Michael Ikpoki, CEO of MTN Ghana said “ as  market leaders, MTN always sets the pace for others to follow and so realising the ICT education deficit in the country, we took up the challenge to complement government efforts in this area. The intervention was designed to address key issues of quality human capacity development, wealth creation through the promotion and development of entrepreneurship, and empowerment of vulnerable groups through improved access to and usage of information”.

Dr. Kamil Kamaluddeen, Country Director - UNDP Ghana, in his speech said “the United Nations had been at the forefront of the global initiative to create a well informed and knowledge based information society through the creation of digital economies.  This project would contribute to the deployment and spread of ICT across Ningo and other nearby communities to improve access to computer training, internet connectivity, ICT infrastructure and ultimately improve performance of students”.

Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communication, noted that ICT was the key to the future of the country and there was no excuse to disregard its essence in the development of the country.  He commended MTN for the excellent work done adding that “government would continue to partner with the private sector to bring ICT to the door steps of the people”. Other dignitaries at the event included Ministers for Communications and Education, MP for Ningo and Minister for Employment & Social Welfare, UNDP Country Director and the leaders from the community. The other nine ICT Centres are located at Adidome (Volta), Asiama (Western), Komenda (Central), Kpong (Eastern), Nyinahin (Ashanti), Techimantia (Brong Ahafo), Tolon(Northern), Pwalugu(Upper East) and Hamile (Upper West). They will be commissioned before year ends.