The Sawoaba GIFEC Centre has called on Zongo communities to embrace Information Communication Technology (I.C.T) by patronising the GIFEC centres located in their localities. Established over eight years ago, the centre has trained over 260 people.
The centre has called on Parents and Guardians to encourage their wards to acquire I.C.T knowledge that will make them competitive on the job market and, thereby, changing the negative narrative about Zongo communities.
At a ceremony held at Sawoaba in the Asokore Mampong municipality of the Ashanti region, to re-open the GIFEC Centre, Salifu Abubakari, the new manager of the Centre, noted that the rationale behind the GIFEC Centre was to help in the acquisition of computer knowledge and the benefits that come with it.
According to him, I.C.T is very beneficial and advised parents and guardians to encourage their wards to take it seriously. He regretted that in spite of the burgeoning I.C.T education in the Ashanti region and Ghana, Zongo communities are still lagging behind in computer knowledge.
This, he noted, is the reason why they have introduced a programme called ‘Kids in I.T’ to help the youth learn about I.CT.
The call for Zongo communities to embrace I.T knowledge is a crucial step towards socio-economic progress and breaking stereotypes.
The Centre’s mission to change the narrative about Zongo communities through I.C.T education is commendable and aligns with the broader goal of creating inclusive opportunities for all.
The practicality and benefit of I.C.T in today’s world cannot be underestimated. I.T knowledge echoes the sentiment that in a rapidly evolving world, digital literacy is the passport to empowerment.
As the global landscape continues to evolve, proficiency in information technology is no longer a luxury but a prerequisite for success. Empowering the youth with I.T skills positions them as catalysts for positive change within their communities.
The way forward involves a collective commitment to fostering a culture where I.T is viewed as a fundamental aspect of education and equipping the younger generation with the tools to navigate the digital landscape.
We call for sustained support from local authorities, community leaders and stakeholders to ensure the continued success of the GIFEC Centres.
One of President Akufo-Addo’s reasons for establishing the Zongo Development Fund (ZDF) was to bridge the development gap between Zongos and other deprived communities, and the rest of the country. It was also geared towards providing the Zongo community inclusive development through human capital development, infrastructure development, and also providing support for social integration.
The Sawoaba GIFEC Centres must be embraced because it is also a private initiative setup to assist government to bridge the development gap between Zongo communities and the rest of the country.
