Ursula leads ICT, library commissioning at Akyem-Bieni

The Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has lead a highly respectable dignitaries to commission a community library and an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) center at Akim Bieni in the Eastern Region.

The ICT center was donated by the Education for Development Foundation, (E4D), a private initiative by the National Cyber Security Advisor, Dr. Albert Antwi Boasiako centre which forms part of the broader vision to intensify ICT education in the country and also encourage the youth to participate in the technology world.

The center which was named after Madam Janet Brako, the mother of the founder is expected to train and make ICT skills and technology accessible to everyone and serve the people of Community and its environs.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful said the ultimate aim of the facility is to prepare the community for the digitalization revolution that is sweeping across the world as the nation seeks to position itself as the technological hub and computational thinking of Africa.

She charged the school children not to render the nation’s investment waste. She also advised the pupils and the public to observe the COVID-19 safety protocols whenever they visit the center to avoid the spread of the coronavirus and charged them to practice the culture of maintenance so that the integrity of the edifice will be maintained for the benefit of other generations to come.

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful observed the need for Africa to take advantage of its youthful population and give the right digital skills.

“I am absolutely convinced that because of our demographic dividends Africa has the youngest population on earth. We have more young people than any other continent on earth. Europe and Asia have an ageing population; we have a very youthful population.

“If we give our young people the right digital skills today, they will provide the manpower to man the entire infrastructure in the world tomorrow. And it is digital skills and technology which will make the key to leapfrog development and that’s why we think this facility is so useful and so important for all the young people of our country” she explained.

The Minister stated that her outfit will continue to partner with individuals who want to put up such facilities.

“My pledge is that once the structure is put up, GIFEC will provide the tools, and equipment needed. The computers and all of that to equip any such facility so that if we engage in such partnership we will broaden the scope of these ICT centres across the country,” she stated.

The Minister used the occasion to inaugurate a committee to spearhead the implementation of the foundation’s activities.

This includes a focus on Teaching & Learning Support, ICT Skills Development Support, Education & Development, Coaching & Mentorship and Educational Scholarships, Awards & Incentives.

Others are Educational Infrastructure Support and Educational Networking for Community-Based Development.

The founder of the initiative, Dr. Albert Antwi Boasiako showed his appreciation to the people of Bieni and Kotoku for having a stake in his upbringing hence his motivation to give back to the society.

“Beneficiary residents will gain core ICT skills that will assist them to pursue further education or enable them to learn any income-generating trade for development” he noted.

On his part, the Deputy Minister for Education, Rev John Ntim Fordjour revealed that teaching in the country will soon change its style from manual to ICT with 60 percent of the programs being scientific and 40 percent being humanity.

Among the dignitaries present were the CDS, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, former Kumbugu MP, Ras Mubarak, former Tema Central MP,Kofi Brako and the Director-General of Police welfare, COP Yaa Tiwaa Addo Dankwa.

The community has an estimated population of about 1,000 residents.

Akim-Bieni is a typical farming community with most of its residents being farmers and petty traders. It has one kindergarten, 1 primary school and 1 junior high school.