The Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim, Philip Fiifi Buckman, has urged residents to take advantage of a newly commissioned Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre to acquire digital skills and improve their employment prospects under the government’s One Million Coders Programme.
The facility, equipped with 50 laptops and internet access, is intended to expand access to digital education and support the government’s initiative to train one million Ghanaians in coding and other digital skills over four years.
The programme aims to improve employability, encourage innovation and equip participants with the competencies needed to participate in the growing digital economy.
Speaking at the commissioning of the centre in Kwesimintsim on Monday, October 19, Mr Buckman said digital literacy had become increasingly important for people seeking to remain competitive in the job market.
He encouraged parents to ensure that their children and other young people used the facility during evenings, school vacations and holidays to develop relevant digital competencies.
On the sustainability of the centre, Mr Buckman said the government had assigned a full-time staff member to manage the facility, while he had personally engaged a security guard to help protect the equipment and premises.
He appealed to residents to take collective responsibility for safeguarding the centre to ensure that it continued to serve the community.
Free Training Open to All
The Western Regional Manager of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Isaac Guaisie, said the training programme was designed to accommodate people with different levels of technological knowledge and experience.
He said the centre had been equipped with computers, internet connectivity and other resources to support learning, allowing participants to select programmes based on their interests.
“Whether you are a market woman, a taxi driver, a student, a professional or in the corporate world, you can have access to the lab,” Mr Guaisie said.
He explained that coordinators would be available to assist participants with registration and training, urging residents to enrol and take full advantage of the free learning opportunities.
Community Urged to Protect ICT Centre
Mr Guaisie also assured residents that measures had been put in place to maintain the equipment and keep all 50 computers functional.
He said coordinators had been instructed to report technical faults immediately rather than attempt unauthorised repairs, enabling GIFEC’s technical team to address problems promptly.
He stressed that the long-term success of the initiative would depend partly on the community’s willingness to protect the facility and its equipment.
According to him, theft or damage to the computers could undermine the programme and deprive residents of opportunities to acquire essential digital skills.
He therefore urged residents living near the centre to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to help prevent break-ins and safeguard the investment.
Mr Guaisie noted that although GIFEC and the centre’s coordinators would oversee its operations, community participation was equally important, particularly outside official working hours.
The commissioning of the Kwesimintsim ICT centre is expected to widen access to digital education and provide residents with opportunities to develop skills relevant to employment, entrepreneurship and participation in Ghana’s digital economy.
By:Rachael Djabakie