COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER WORRIED

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The Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, has expressed worry and displeasure about how some community ICT centres have been run down and the apathy of some District Assemblies towards maintaining state and public property. 

Mrs. Ekuful expressed the sentiment during her tour of Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications, GIFEC, funded projects in some parts of the Ashanti region. The Communications Minister’s tour of the region saw her inspecting community ICT Centres at Kodie in the Afigya Kwabre district, Namong in the Offinso South Municipality and Nsuta, Kwamang and Beposo in the Sekyere Central district.

 At the Namong Community ICT Centre, the facility was in a dilapidated condition, as all the desktop computers in the lab and air conditioners were not functioning, while the teaching materials such as projectors and writing boards and furnishing were missing.

 Also, part of the land on which the ICT centre is situated had been encroached upon by a “chopbar” operator. The Communications Minister was informed that the Namong Community ICT Centre was activated in 2006. However, the national service person, who was posted to man the centre, had been using the facility as his  residence, living with his wife and three children till date. Mrs. Ekuful was told that the man only vacated the place upon hearing of her impending visit to the Centre. 

At the Kwamang Community ICT Centre in the Sekyere Central District, it was reported to the Minister that thieves had broken into the Centre through the roof and had stolen all the computers and accessories from the lab. 

The Minister however after inspecting the centre, expressed doubt about the alleged theft. Mrs. Ekuful said it was a shame how people treat state and public property. She noted that a lot of money has been spent to establish the community ICT facilities. It is therefore the duty of the District Assemblies to maintain and safeguard these centres from theft and destruction. She said since the District Assemblies have proven incapable in this respect, her Ministry will find partners to rehabilitate and maintain the community ICT Centres.

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