Richard Akoto, was in Singapore on the ticket of Microsoft as part of the global technology giant’s support for him after he went viral earlier this year.

The event brought together over 400 educators and school leaders from 91 countries to discuss the role of technology in education.

The Vice President for Worldwide Education at Microsoft, Anthony Salcito, praised Richard Akoto for overcoming major obstacles to help his students.

“Your work has really inspired the world. It really shows the amazing innovation and commitment and passion that teachers have for helping their students get ready for the future,” he said.

Richard Akoto said he was excited about the support being provided by Microsoft, adding that it was refreshing he was no longer going to the blackboard to teach ICT in his school.

“I wanted to teach them [the pupils] how to launch Microsoft Word. But I had no computer to show them. I had to do my best. So, I decided to draw what the screen looks like on the blackboard with chalk,” he said.

“I drew the features and labeled them correctly so that they would know what-was-what. Then I drew what you would see on your computer screen after launching Word.

“I have been doing this every time the lesson I’m teaching demands it. I’ve drawn monitors, system units, keyboards, a mouse, a formatting toolbar, a drawing toolbar, and so on. The students were okay with that. They are used to me doing everything on the board for them. When I did this, it was nothing new or strange for them,” he said.

“Something very positive has come out of this and I am very happy. We are no longer going to use the chalkboard again. We will have computers,” he added.

Microsoft will be working with Richard through a local partner in Ghana to provide device and software support required for his students at the Betenase Municipal Assembly Junior High School in the town of Sekyedomase in rural Ghana.

He will also gain access to the Microsoft Certified Educator Program (MCE) for professional development, so he can nurture his passion for teaching and build rich, custom learning experiences for his students.

Meanwhile, Richard Akoto’s viral story has gotten a benefactor at UK’s University of Leeds to donate a brand new laptop to this school.

NIIT Ghana, an IT training school, has also donated five (5) desktop computers to the school and one laptop to Mr. Akoto for his personal use.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana with additional information from Microsoft

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GIFEC is using its Smart Communities Project to bridge the internet gap between peri-urban and urban areas to position Ghana as an IT-driven country.

The Smart Communities project, which is being piloted in Brong Ahafo and the Western regions, is providing Wi-Fi in public establishments such as schools, hospitals, banks, police stations and marketplaces, among others.

Four communities are set to benefit from the Smart Community initiative – Asumura, Berekum, Goaso and Asankragua in the Brong Ahafo and Western regions respectively.

The Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, having toured the project site at Asumura in the Brong Ahafo region on Monday, February 5, 2018, was optimistic that linking more rural areas to the internet under the Smart Communities Project will accelerate development and transform the economy.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said as the Akufo-Addo-led government formalises the economy it will be much easier to start paying farmers and other sectors of the economy electronically, adding the Smart Community Project is an attestation that “E-commerce can strive in rural areas.”

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, who doubles as the MP for Ablekuma West, hailed GIFEC for the project since it “will facilitate E-governance because all the district agencies will be given access to the internet and deal seamlessly with one another in terms of provision of services as well as sending and receiving feedback.”

The Communication Minister was optimistic the country stands to benefit immensely from the project because it will also help reduce corruption in the public sector.

She noted that information and technology are pre-requites in development hence bringing them to the doorsteps of the deprived is a laudable initiative hence the need to support GIFEC Secretariat to spread the project to other communities. She appealed to the beneficiary communities to maintain the facilities to extend their lifespan.

For her part, the Danish Ambassador to Ghana, Tove Degnbol, promised that as partners in development, her country will continue to support the digitalisation process of government to boost the various sectors of the economy.

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Source: Starr FM

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The Silicon Valley of Ghana is under the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Mensah said the Silicon Valley of Ghana will create business accelerators and incubators that can compete with tech-companies around the world, move Ghana into the 21st Century technological advancement and also support the high Speed Bullet Train that is being developed in Ghana.

[contextly_sidebar id=”6Jl3Pl7rvkGBfl3WcsL0YLX4dQ8e7b5z”]The occasion was also used to announce the members of the board of advisors to the Silicon Valley of Ghana.

Dr Mensah, the founder and chairman of the Silicon Valley of Ghana said the board members include Dr. Victor Lawrence (Stevens University); Dr. Michael Ansah (VP Dell UK); Dr. Isaiah Blankson (Hypersonic Expert, NASA); Prof. Obiri Danso (Vice Chancellor KNUST); Prof. Gabriel Ayum Teye (Vice Chancellor UDS); Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, (Vice Chancellor UCC); Dr. Frimpong Boateng (Minister Science and Innovation), and Mr. Alan Kyeremanteng (Minister Trade and Industry).

Others are Mrs Cecilia Dapaah (Minister for Aviation); Mr. Osafo Marfo (Senior Minister); Mrs. Ursula Owusu Ekuful (Minister for Communications); Fernando Hernandez (Microsoft); Robert Bobby Satcher (Astronaut), and Mr. Kwasi Adu-Gyan, Director General of GI-KACE.

Dr Mensah said membership of the board included Ghanaian expatriates in the diaspora who are desirous in the technological advancement of the development of Ghana.

He said the GI-KACE was chosen as the venue for the launch because ‘it is packed with the brainpower to support the Silicon Valley of Ghana in bridging the technology gap of the country’ he said.

The renowned inventor indicated that GI-KACE will be the pivot around which the Silicon Valley of Ghana will revolve, and serves as the link for both the universities and research institutions in Ghana with industrial corporations, advanced research centres’ and other “Tech giants”.

The innovation and competency centres which will link up with the GI-KACE, according to Dr Mensah, included the University of Ghana, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Development Studies and the University of Cape Coast.

Dr Mensah said the innovation and competency centres’ will work with industries and academia to create ICT products and services in Ghana.

The venture, he said, would also include the development of telemedicine platform for Ghana whereby physicians from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and Cape Coast University hospital will use broadband technology to connect with doctors in Universities in the USA such as John Hopkins and Universities in England and Germany to look at complex medical diagnostics.

He pledged his readiness to working hand-in-hand with GI-KACE to manufacture products and services essential in driving internet of things such as drones, smart phones, as well as telemedicine and transportation.

According to him, the Silicon Valley of Ghana will create business accelerators and incubators that can compete with tech-companies around the world, move Ghana into the 21st Century technological advancement and also support the high Speed Bullet Train that is being developed in Ghana.

Dr Mensah, who created the Silicon Valley of the South in the USA, said he will use the same methodology with the GI-KACE as the hub to link all the Universities and other higher technological institutions to develop advanced things just like they do in America.

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Source: Graphic.com.gh

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The facility, which was constructed and handed over to the community in 2012, sought to serve over 100,000 people in eight communities, and also provide a learning centre for 8,000 students from 10 schools in the area.

But the facility became a white elephant after a year of operations.

A visit by Citi News to the facility in Adidome revealed that, weeds had overgrown around the building, with the nets and louvers covering its windows worn out.

From afar, it would be difficult to notice the existence of the ICT centre in the bush.

There were about 20 desks with dusty desktop computers sitting in front of them and other relevant devices collecting dust, whilst birds and spiders hid in the ceiling.

A few meters away from the centre, is the R/C Basic School, which lacks an ICT Laboratory.

The teachers who refused to speak to Citi News on record, said it was a challenge for them to be teaching ICT in class without practical lessons.

As a result, students in the school, like the many other schools in the area, perform poorly in ICT.

It is as yet unclear what led to the neglect of such an important facility in the community, but residents attributed it to poor maintenance culture.

No comment from GES, Chief

The Chief of the Community, Togbe Agyeman IV, under whose supervision the building was commissioned, declined to comment when Citi News contacted him.

Although the facility from the Telecommunication Network was to among other things support the activities of the Ghana Education Service, the District Director of Education, Mr. Xevi, also declined to share his views on the state of the facility and the lack of ICT facilities in the district.

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By: King Nobert Akpabli/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This was said by Secretary General of ATU, Abdoulkarim Soumaila at an ICT forum, AfricaCom, held on 7- 9 November in Cape Town.

He said that connectivity, affordability and accessibility was a key focus for Africa’s digital inclusivity and rural network coverage.

Abdoulkarim Soumaila during the premier Pan-African technology, telecoms and media event noted that, connectivity has the potential to positively impact and transform people’s lives in a number of areas, including health, education and financial services and agriculture.

“All people must be able to access the Internet in order to exercise and enjoy their rights to a better quality of life, dignity and equality.” Abdoulkarim said.

Statistics from GSMA shows that approximately 53% of the world’s population is still unconnected. Four-fifths of this unconnected population are located in Asia-Pacific and in Africa. On average, 69% of the African population do not have access to the Internet, with many of those unconnected living in rural areas.

Abdoulkarim stated that there is a definite need for smarter strategies and co-operation amongst the various stakeholders to ensure digital Inclusivity.

“In order to make rural connectivity a reality, governments and stakeholders need to make it a priority. It is necessary to develop suitable networks at an appropriate time and gradually overlay infrastructure and services until the ultimate goal of an ICT Society and Knowledge Economy is achieved.” Abdoulkarim said.

The forum with the theme, “Build a Better Connected Africa – How to Accelerate the Development of ICT Systems” was attended by government officials including communication ministers from South Africa, Angola, Ghana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, representatives from GSMA, Deloitte, Huawei and Telco Operators in Sub-Saharan region.

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications of Ghana said, “Our universal access service agency GIFEC, in collaboration with operators and private sector partners, has been mandated to make 100% network coverage happen within two years. And I’m happy to know that Huawei has successfully developed innovative solution for rural coverage in collaboration with MTN in Ghana. The ICT Africa forum should serve to strengthen our resolve in building a better connected Africa. ”

Lipeng, president of Huawei Southern Africa region said most African policy-makers have created favorable environments for the ICT sector, and the private sector also plays an important role in provision of the technology, solution, service and training, help transforming and enriching people’s life through communication.

“Huawei is ready to share our local practices and global expertise with all related stakeholders, to contribute to accelerating ICT development in Africa.” Li said.

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Credit: Huawei

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President Paul Kagame made the offer when he met with Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on the sidelines of the ongoing Global Business Forum on Africa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Q57b8jlokzlLnNnjllTcGDkYIOi7wwNS”]The structural economic reforms being undertaken by the Ghana government, including the implementation of a National Digital Property Addressing System, the issuance of a National ID card, and the introduction of a Paperless Port system, have already received commendation from international bodies such as the World Bank.

Rwanda is known for its business-friendly environment, and is ranked the highest in Africa for the ease of doing business.

Explaining the offer from Rwanda, Ghana’s Deputy Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who accompanied the Vice President said:

“Rwanda, having taken a lead in that area already, is available, willing and excited, also in line with its Pan African interest to extend a hand to Ghana, and to assist us to even quicken the pace at which we are introducing a lot of these reforms especially reforms in the area of ICT. His excellency, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia also took him through some of the reforms that we have been embarking on, and the next stage is to now formalize the exercise of cooperation, and get a team together that can now more directly tap into the Rwandan experience when it comes to doing business, when it comes to plugging ICT into various aspects of our economic and governance life as a people.”

The Forum, organized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is under the theme “Next Generation Africa”, and is taking place at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah from November 1st-2nd, 2017.

The high-profile event, held under the patronage of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will explore new opportunities to enhance economic cooperation and expand trade and investment ties between the Middle East and Africa.

The two-day forum features a total of 24 sessions that will involve the participation of heads of state, ministers and dignitaries, policymakers, CEOs, prominent entrepreneurs, and heads of private banks, as well as UAE government and business leaders.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the METL Group in Tanzania, Mohamed Dewji, will be discussing the topic “Industrialization – the path to growth?”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He said it was, therefore, important to equip the youth with Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills and exposed them further to a digital way of life in order to become active players in the digital world.

[contextly_sidebar id=”iICwYQpu7M3r0VbTbFkfZQWG7g6ubjKT”]Mr Sowah Odotei made the pledge in an interview at the Ghana Code Day, a technology workshop in Accra.

The event sought to help La Dade-Kotopon Elementary schools kids to learn the basics of computer programming.

The goal of the programme, which is being organised by the Ghana Code Club and its partners, was to scale out more schools, community centres and libraries through the help of the government, non-governmental organisations and corporate institutions.

Mr Odotei, who is also the Member of Parliament for the La Dade-Kotopon, noted that the world was being driven by technology as such it was important that the younger generation did not only became consumers of technology, but producers, where they could be exposed more to ICT-enabled products.

“So today’s event is the beginning of that exposure where children between the ages of eight to 16 will be introduced to the rudiments of computer programming, to be active in the technological world, produce ICT products and as well have careers,” he added.

The Deputy Minister, who described the initiative as a sustainable project in his constituency and across the country said his Ministry’s policy was to re-develop the Community Information Centres (CIC).

He said there were 194 CICs across the country and in all districts, and they would equip such centres with the hardware, equip them with the connectivity and train volunteers to ensure that policies and universal access and digital literacy would be realised.

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Source: GNA

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The school won with 37 points beating its closest contender Edwinta Preparatory School which obtained 34 points, with Bask Academy and Zenu KKDA ‘2’ Basic School obtaining 32 and 31 points respectively.

The quiz was organized by the Fixit Fast ICT Centre in partnership with the Ghana Education Service to promote the learning of ICT among basic school students.

For their prize, the two winning students representing the school received a laptop computer each,16 gigs pen drive and textbooks, while the school was also awarded with a trophy, two sets of desktop computers and a tablet for the ICT teacher.

The three other schools also received some consolation prizes for participating in the quiz at the finals out of 222 participating schools.

Mr George Agyenim Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of Fixit Fast, said the quiz competition which was started in 2016 with schools in the Tema Metropolis, was expanded this year to include schools from the Ningo-Prampram, Kpone-Katamanso District and Ledzekuku-Krowor Municipal areas noting that it was his outfit’s dream to extend it nation-wide by 2025.

Mr Boateng noted that the quiz was initiated after his company conducted a survey which revealed that even though ICT was being thought in the basic schools, the interest among students were low.

He added that the quiz was therefore initiated to create a platform for assessing and rewarding students who excelled in the study of ICT, while equipping the schools with the needed equipment to aid the teaching and learning of the subject.

Mrs Gifty Twum-Ampofo, Deputy Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, in a keynote address, commended the company for the initiative and reminded students of the importance of studying and excelling in ICT.

Mrs Twum-Ampofo encouraged the youth not to use their computers and phones to acquire unacceptable behaviours from the internet but should rather take advantage of the many electronic libraries and research works available to them to study for their future.

She also cautioned them against posting compromising photos and comments on social media as it would have a devastating effect on them and their families.

Educational Directors of Tema, Kpone-Katamanso, Ledzekuku-Krowor and Ningo-Prampram and other dignitaries that graced the event reiterated the use of ICT in the development of the nation and encouraged the youth to use it positively to their advantage.

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Source: GNA

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In this stead, he also stated that “in the not too distant future, the free WiFi coverage policy will be extended to senior secondary and tertiary institutions nationwide…”

[contextly_sidebar id=”f1Fy5lxbJOHQZbVRP85Z81dWEAt6hXMs”]The President assured that his government’s focus is to provide every school and community with ICT infrastructure to keep them in touch with global trends.

This will also equip our youth with the skills that will be necessary for Ghana’s economic transformation, he added.

President Akufo-Addo made these remarks on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, when he commissioned his first project, the Akyem Wenchi Educational Circuit Community Information Centre, at Soabe, in the Eastern Region.

In his brief remarks to the gathering, the President noted that his government, as is stated in the NPP’s manifesto of 2016, intends to improve the facilities and the curriculum for ICT education at all levels.

Government also intends to ensure that all teachers have ICT competence, he noted.

“I am delighted, therefore, to commission this project, because it is the first to put into expression the NPP’s commitment on ICT and Education,”  President Akufo-Addo said.

“I am certain that this community information centre will have a positive impact on learning in the Akyem Wenchi Educational Circuit, and will increase flexibility so that students can access education, regardless of time and geographical barriers.”

President Akufo-Addo furhter noted that “if a student studying in one of our communities, for example, wishes to find out what the latest technology in electroplating is, his or her problems could be minimized if he or she had an opportunity to use a computer equipped with the services of the internet. This is because a world of rich and abundant knowledge will lay before him or her at the click of an icon on a computer.”

“ICT in education has a multiplier effect, by enhancing learning and providing students with new sets of skills; by reaching students with poor or no access (especially those in rural areas); by facilitating and improving the training of teachers; and by minimizing costs associated with the delivery of traditional instruction.”

To cap this off, President Akufo-Addo revealed that the Ghana Investment Fund For Electronic Communications (GIFEC) has equipped the centre with access to free internet services.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Dr Agumenu observed that entrepreneurship is a backbone of every successful economy and it helps citizens to develop themselves.

He underscored the need for the Ghanaian youth to develop skills and come out with new businesses that would create employment for others.

Speaking at a Youth Leadership Summit at Ave-Dakpa in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region, the Project Management Expert said the key skills any entrepreneur should possess are the ability to set goals and to manage time, money and other resources.

The Summit which was organised by his outfit saw the youth in the area being taken through lessons in bee keeping, fashion and apparel production, agri-business, ICT among others.

The participants were encouraged to take up such skills to improve their lives.

The Akatsi North district is one of the newly created districts in the Volta Region and its inhabitants are noted for the production of crops such maize, cassava and other arable crops.

The district also has a dam which hosts friendly crocodiles that attracts tourists to the area.

The Chairman for the occasion and Chief of Ave-Atanve, Torgbui Hodzi Dunyo said that the youth summit, which is the maiden edition in the district was an eye-opener and it would go a long way to improve the economic fortunes of the youth in the area. 

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By: King Nobert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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