ATC inaugurates ICT learning centre

By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN, Accra

IN an effort to enhance ICT education in Ghana, the American Tower Corporation (ATC), Ghana has inaugurated an ultra-modern Digital Communities Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre at the premises of the Ghana Girl Guides Association (GGGA) in Achimota, Accra.

The Digital Communities is a state-of-the-art learning hub furnished with computer facilities, benefiting from uninterrupted power supply and broadband connections provided by ATC tower sites.

Designed as a 33-seater ICT Learning Centre, the Digital Communities aims to empower female pupils and girls in Achimota and its environs by offering training in basic ICT skills, coding, programming, and other digital competencies, positioning them competitively both locally and globally.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ATC Ghana, Ashutosh Singh, emphasized that the Centre’s primary objective is to provide access to ICT services and training to school pupils and residents in underserved areas.

Notably, the centre caters to all ages, focusing on basic ICT skills, coding, programming, and career enhancement.

Hr reaffirmed the Corporation’s commitment to nurturing skilled professionals for Ghana’s telecommunications industry through the Digital Communities program, aligning with ATC’s global initiatives prioritizing digital literacy to uplift underserved communities.

Additionally, he highlighted the strategic placement of centres near basic schools, ensuring convenient access to facilitate effective teaching and learning.

“The Digital Communities project aligns with the Government of Ghana’s Digital Ghana Agenda. ATC Ghana takes pride in contributing to an inclusive digital economy and encouraging youth engagement in STEM fields,” he stressed.

Since 2018, ATC has successfully completed and commissioned 10 fully equipped centres across the country, with nine more currently operational.

He noted the Corporation’s intent to establish more partnerships to expand the digital community programmes, emphasizing the need for collaborations to drive societal betterment and accelerate digital equity.

The CEO of ATC Africa, Marek Busfy,  emphasized that investing in ICT centres acknowledges that towers alone aren’t enough without enabling people to fully utilize the resources offered.

He underlined ATC’s commitment to diversity, highlighting female leadership within the organization across Africa.

The U.S Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, commended ATC’s relentless efforts to broaden digital inclusion across the nation.

She reiterated the United States’ commitment to supporting gender equality in the workforce, emphasizing the pivotal role of STEM education in fostering economic growth and individual transformation.

She noted that ATC Ghana has consistently responded positively to the call to invest and support Ghana’s digital transformation agenda and that is commendable.

“ICT education is critical to national development and social transformation and your continuous investment in that area is helping in a very big way to bridge the digital gap and ensure digital inclusion,” he said.

She commended ATC Ghana for dedicating a centre to girls, saying that such an investment will go a long way to prepare the girls to be competitive both locally and on the global scale.

Head of Ghana Girl Guides Association, Zakiya Abdul-Wahab, expressed gratitude for ATC’s partnership, which has resulted in the establishment of an 11-seater ICT Centre prior to the current 33-seater hub.

She highlighted the growing importance of STEM for girls and welcomed the provision of such centres.

In a speech delivered on his behalf, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, praised ATC Ghana’s initiative in establishing ICT centres, aligning with the Ministry’s STEM policy agenda.

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Maamele Andrews, lauded the inauguration of the centres as a significant stride in bridging the digital divide and empowering girls nationwide.

She noted the pivotal role of the centre in equipping Ghanaian youth with essential technological skills in this digital age.

She urged the youth to capitalize on the facility to enhance their ICT competencies.