Japanese NGO to Increase Computer Literacy

A Japanese initiated NGO, Partnership for New Development (PND) was inaugurated in Accra yesterday.

Its objective is to bridge the ten-year gap of digital divide that exist between Africa particularly Ghana and the rest of the world. It will be distributing free computers to schools to increase information technology literacy among students in the country.

In a speech read for her during the inauguration Mrs. Christine Churcher, Minister for Basic, Secondary and Girl-Child Education noted that, although Africa has a population of 648 million, a little over one million use IT with most of them being in South Africa.

The low use of information technology in Africa, she said, was deterring the growth and development of the continent.

The Minister said the government would assist the PND to achieve its goal of helping the youth to become computer literate.

She urged the youth to utilise all opportunities at their disposal to become responsible future leaders to accelerate socio-economic development

Mrs. Churcher announced that her Ministry would network all science resource centers and all Senior Secondary Schools with the objective of enhancing academic and social interactions among students to develop skills in IT.