GIFEC connects the blind to internet
The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) on Thursday commissioned an ultra modern Computer Laboratory at a cost GH¢350,000 for the Akropong School for the Blind in the Akuapem North Municipal of the Eastern Region.
The project forms part of GIFEC School Connectivity Project, which involves providing educational institutions with high speed computers, printers, scanners, projectors and savers as well as linking them with internet access.
The laboratory is equipped with the state of the art facilities including an Embosser, Pacmate and translating software, which will assist the visually impaired to acquire knowledge of technology.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communications said the Government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) seeks to provide equal opportunity for every Ghanaian and that the government would manage the physically challenged with respect to contribute their quota to national development.
He said assisting the physical challenged was a promise of the NDC Better Ghana Agenda, social justice and good governance.
Her promised to build an ultra modern Information Centre for the school with internet connectivity in 2013 through GIFEC after the reconfirmation of the NDC.
Mr Iddrisu said some budget provisions would be made at the Ministry of Education to build a fence wall for the school and also lobby the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) to construct a girl’s dormitory for the school.
He said the Ministry of Communications would provide the school with 50 laptops with visuals impaired supportive software in the next two weeks and appealed to the authorities to maintain the laboratory for other people to also benefit from it.
Mr Kofi Attoh, Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of GIFEC said the same type of laboratory had been installed at the Wa School of the Blind in the Upper West Region.
He said GIFEC was committed to promoting ICT in Ghana’s most deprived communities, which were “un-served and under-served with internet connectivity.”
Mr Attoh said GIFEC seeks to support the Ministries of Education and Local Government by deploying facilities in educational institutions to enhance ICT access in schools, improve computer literacy and equip students with ICT skills and knowledge to function effectively in today’s knowledge society.
Ms Mahela Narh, Headmistress of the School said the school was faced with many challenges but was thankful to government and its agencies for always thinking about the school.
She said the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology has promised to provide the school with laptops and that the school still needed government and corporate institution to come to their aid.
GIFEC is an Agency of the Ministry of Communication, which facilitates the provision of basic telephony to un-served and underserved communities in the country.
Source: GNA