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Ensure every child is equipped with ICT skills for future development- Antony Okleh
The Municipal ICT Coordinator for New Juaben South, Antony Okleh has called on stakeholders in the education sector to ensure that every child in the country, regardless of their background were equipped with digital skill that were essential for the future development of the country.
He said equipping and utilizing information technology to uplift the lives of the children would not only transform their lives but they would also use it to transform their communities and societies they find themselves in the country.
“We have children in the country who lack the basic numeracy and reading skills required for a productive future.
However, through the learning of IT, we can find a transformative solution that has the potential to bridge this gap,” he said.
Mr.Okleh also added that it would help reduce learning poverty among children who were the future leaders of the country.
The Municipal ICT Coordinator made these statements during the graduation of 22 pupils who took part in the Illumine IT training programme organised by the Ghana Library Authority (GLA) in collaboration with the Eastern Entertainment Group and UNICEF in Koforidua on Thursday.
The programme sought to equip the pupils with digital skills to improve their access to quality learning, employability and empower them for opportunities online and offline through youth engagement centres established by the GLA in partnership with UNICEF.
The pupils were trained in internet research, graphic design, introduction to computer and spreadsheets among others.
Mr Okleh indicated that today’s world was constantly evolving and information technology has transcended its role as a mere tool and has emerged as a beacon of hope illuminating the path towards a more equitable landscape.
He said equipping the pupils with the skills would empower them to contribute meaningfully to the future workforce and society and make them architects of change.
“With the advent of the digital age learning is no longer confined to the four walls of the classrooms. We have online resources, interactive platforms and educational applications that has the power to deliver quality learning experiences to the most remote corners of the world,” he said.
He said coupled with teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration, the pupil can transform the country.
He congratulated the graduands and urged them to continue to advance in digital knowledge and skills and take advantage of any opportunity that comes their way and urged parents to continue to make the necessary investment in their children while they motivate them to do more.
For her part, Madam Bridget Adjei Mensah, Head of IT at the GLA in the Eastern region who spoke on behalf of the Regional Director, Mr Evans Korletey-Tene said GLA and UNICEF shared similar views and values in fostering literary and providing skill development opportunities for young people, adding that it has encouraged them to collaborate to drive the engagement centre in Ghana through the establishment of ten youth engagement centers in Ghana Libraries.
She said Koforidua in the Eastern region was part of the places where the ten centres havebeen established to strengthen institutional capacity and leverage on technological tools to achieve desirable outcome for young people and bring its services closed to them.
She said the partnership with stakeholders to roll out the Illumin IT project was one of the programmes create community spaces for peer to peer learning and youth engagement which also enables stronger cooperation with young people.
One of the beneficiaries, a pupil of the Koforidua Presbyterian School, Delight Kekeli Ahor thanked the organisers for the programme and stated that they have they would improve themselves while they use skills to help others.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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GEXIM to host “SME GO” programme stakeholder sensitisation and fair on September 18
The Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana will be hosting the final phase of the stakeholder sensitisation exercise on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) Programme at the Bank’s headquarters located at the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
The stakeholder sensitisation event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday SSeptember18, 2024 at 10 am and will give attendees a deeper insight into the SME GO Programme with a focus on the dynamics of the programme, eligibility criteria application process and how the initiative seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and compete favorably in the international marketplace.
The confirmed speakers and dignitaries for the event will highlight how Ghanaian SMEs can leverage on the SME GO Programme to build the capacities and make them sustainable.
They include Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana.
Alongside the stakeholder sensitisation event, GEXIM will be hosting a special edition of its popular SME Fair dubbed “SME GO Mart” at the forecourt of the Africa Trade House, from 8am to 8pm.
The theme for the “SME GO Mart” is “Celebrating Ghanaian SMEs” and it will provide a platform for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to showcase various top-quality Made-In-Ghana products.
Over hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair.
They will be exhibiting several unique and authentic products at unbeatable prices including food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance launched the SME GO Programme, a ground breaking initiative which sought to provide Ghanaian SMEs with the needed funds, requisite technology and knowledge as well as other relevant resources and tools to aid their growth to become international giants.
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Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study
A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.
The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.
Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”
“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.
The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.
The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.
Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.
