MTN inaugurates ICT center in Bolgatanga

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga MTN Ghana Foundation has inaugurated an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Center and Library for the St. Charles Primary School in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region. The 21-seater capacity ICT facility would serve as computer training center and a reading facility to equip pupils of the school and 10 other surrounding communities with ICT skills and help improve general academic work. The intervention followed an appealed by the school in 2011 during its 85th anniversary celebration to MTN to help transform pupils in the digital divide. The facility was set up at a cost of GH c 128,000 and its forms part of MTN’s contributions towards improvement ICT education in Ghana. Inaugurating the facility, the Executive Secretary of MTN Ghana Foundation, Mr Robert Kuzoe said MTN is dedicated to expanding ICT access to many people especially those in rural and deprived communities adding that the initiative is also to support the implementation of the mandatory ICT component of the new educational reform and to help develop entrepreneurship skills in the youth in Northern Ghana. “The use of the internet and other technologies are crucial to the development of the Ghanaian economy and MTN remains committed to ensuring that our communities are connected.” He said He said in addition to establishment of the ICT facility, MTN Ghana Foundation has invested to the tune of GH c 848,873.37 in various community development projects in the areas of health and education across the region. Some of the Projects embarked in the Upper East region include: donation of an incubator to the Bawku West District Hospital to support quality health delivery, construction of an CHPS compound at Azuribisi, refurbishment of the Zuarungu Health Center and the renovation of a facility for reproductive child health, consulting and administrative office for the Ayamfooya Memorial Clinic as well as sponsorship for 20 schools to participate in the national spelling bee competition for the past three years. Mr Kuzoe appealed the the management of the school to maintain the ICT facility in order to ensure that it is sustained for future generations. Mrs Bibiana Weye, Headmistress of the school who did not hide her excitement expressed gratitude to MTN for supporting the facility. The Municipal Chief Executive for Bolagatanga, Mr Edward Ayagle while commending MTN Ghana Foundation also urged the pupils to seize opportunity and make themselves computer literate even before they progress to the Senior High School level. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh