The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) ), an agency under the Ministry of Communications, Sekondi - Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly has presented computers and accessories to the Kow Nketsiah A.M.E Zion Basic School in Nkotompo on Wednesday, 20th March, 2019. The items, which included ten (10) computers, a projector, a scanner and a number of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) presented to the school to help pupils to learn the practical aspect of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to compliment the theoretical aspect of the subject.

Making the presentation, the Mayor of Sekondi-Takoradi, Hon. Anthony K. K.Sam entreated the students to put pressure on their ICT teachers to teach them everything they need to know about the subject. He further challenged them to excel in their ICT examinations with the receipt of the new computers and its accessories. He appealed to them to manage their time very well by not devoting most of their time to watching television and attending programs such as funerals that do not add anything to their future development. On the issue of sanitation, he urged the pupils to act as community watchdogs and ensure that people do not litter indiscriminately and defecate openly. He stressed the dangers of littering and open defecation especially around the sea and asked them to cultivate the habit of cleanliness as cleanliness, they say, is next to Godliness. He further urged the school authorities to practice a high standard of maintenance culture in order to increase the life span of the machines. She also advised the students to ensure proper handling of the machines to ensure that those coming after them will also enjoy the benefits of the machines.

The Western Regional Zonal Manager for GIFEC, Mr. Selorm Dzokoto urged the pupils to put to good use the computers in order to improve their knowledge in ICT. He further advised the pupils to exploit the computers in the best ways possible and take advantage of the series of coding classes that will be organized for them to hone their skills and interest in ICT, He also stressed that the clubs will be formed to also encourage the love of ICT in the pupils.

In his short remarks after receiving the items, the headmaster of the Junior High School, Mr. George Eshun recounted how GIFEC upon the insistence of the MCE earlier in the month came to inspect their ICT lab and repaired their old computers and also promised to bring them new ones after confirming that their lab was up to standard. He thanked the MCE and GIFEC for their prompt action in getting the school new computers.

He further cautioned head teachers to desist from the practice of renting the classrooms for churches activities. "The practice of renting classrooms to churches seriously contributes to the fast deterioration of furniture in most of our public basic schools", the Mayor said. "If adults are using chairs meant for children and these chairs are also regularly moved in and out of the classrooms, the chairs will definitely be weak and broken down in no time".

Present at the presentation of the computers was the Public Relations Officer of the Assembly, Mr. John Laste, the Sekondi-Takoradi Zonal Manager, some other officals of GIFEC , The Assistant Director in charge of supervision, Mr. Samuel K. Acquaye, the Assembly member of Nkotompo, Hon Ephraim, headteachers of primary and kindergarten of Kow Nketsiah A.M.E Zion and some teachers of the school.

In a related development, GIFEC earlier in the month presented similar items to the Gethsemane Basic School in kweikuma. Before the presentation of the computers to Gethsemane Basic School, officals of GIFEC and the Assembly visited West Rridge Basic School at Sekondi to assess the suitability of the school[s ICT lab for possible presentation of similar items to the school. The team recommended some works to be done by the school to ensure that they also benefit from the donations.

The core mandate of GIFEC is to continually bridge the ICT gap between the served and unserved / underserved by making sure that students and schools who do not have access to computers are provided for in order to propel the childern into the digital age. To achieve this aim, GIFEC requests and receives unsolicited proposals from schools and communities with the required facilities to host and tech ICT across the country. Currently, some schools within the Metropolis have been shortlisted to benefit from similar donations before the close of the year