Samsung Electronics West Africa in collaboration with UNESCO has launched and handed over its first Digital Village to government of Ghana and the people of the Volta Region.

Launched in Volo, a farming community in the North Tongu District, the facility is to provide access to the world’s most advanced information and communication technologies, education and health services to under-resourced areas.

The project is also to bridge the digital divide and serve as a catalyst for local business development and government service delivery.

The component of the Digital Village include; Solar Powered Internet School, built to accommodate up to 24 learners, Solar Powered Tale-Medical Centre, and a Solar Powered Generator that powers up the Admin Centre which can be used as office space for local entrepreneurs and any other nearby school community with limited electricity supply.

In a well-organized ceremony to launch the Digital Village, the Marketing Manager for Handheld Products at Samsung Ghana, Tracy Kyei who could not hide her excitement said the implementation of the project had been successful as expected by Samsung.

Speaking to Journalists on the sidelines of the launch, Miss Kyei indicated that the project will serve more than ten neighbouring communities within the location.

She also mentioned that her company has been successful in providing the facilities to the people however government would also have to play major role in ensuring sustainability of the facility.

“We have provided and handing over this project to government but in terms of sustenance and caring of employees, it will be the government that will actually be sustaining and keeping it in shape,” She noted.

On his part, a deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who joined other dignitaries and the chiefs of the area to inaugurate the project thanked Samsung Ghana for the initiative, adding that the facility will improve living conditions of his people.

The minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for the area admitted that schools and health centres in the constituency have not seen any renovation since 1998 and therefore needed facelift.

“If you look around, you will notice that there is only one ailing health facility in North Tongu, a health facility that in itself needs a doctor to rescue it, in fact it is health facility at its intensive care unit with no doctor, therefore we are indebted to Samsung and its partners,” the minister said.

Mr Ablakwa also noted that government is considering plans to begin construction of major roads in the area as promised by President Mahama and his NDC led government to the people the of Volta Region.

Click on 'Photos' to see pictures from the launch