Computer center attracts high patronage in Kumasi

A USAID-supported computer center in Kumasi has attracted high patronage despite the setting up of similar centers in the city. The center is situated in the city's central business district to provide people without access to computers in their homes, schools and offices the opportunity to learn how to effectively operate a computer, search for information on the internet, and send or receive e-mails.

Before setting up the center in Kumasi, Ghana's second largest city, had only three points where people had internet access. Of these, two were open to the public.

USAID provided computers, printers and other accessories. Officials of the Center for the Development of People (CEDEP), the implementing partner, were trained to use effectively the computers for a variety of programs as well as the internet.

The center, also known as the Community Learning Center (CLC), attracted a lot of visitors. From November 1998 thousands of people were trained in the use of various computer programs. Among them were public and private organization officials. Aside of this, people searched for information from websites and sent or received e-mails during the period.

Seminars and workshops were organized at the CLC for different professional groups to introduce them to the use of computers to enhance their work. For example, over 20 doctors were trained to use the internet to seek and receive advice from colleagues on the treatment of various diseases. Open days were also organized for groups of students and workers to demonstrate what computers can do for them. More than 40 basic schools in Kumasi have benefited from the program. As Elizabeth Amponsah , head of the center said, "it was a first experience for most of the participants although they have heard a lot about the internet and e-mail."

Kumasi now has over 20 internet facilities, with seven located in the center's immediate vicinity. Despite this, the center continues to attract more visitors because its trained officials satisfy the needs of clients and the cost of learning a program at the center is relatively cheap. In addition, the youth have identified themselves with the activities of CEDEP and therefore patronize the center.

These advantages, notwithstanding, the center has expanded its services to typesetting and printing of brochures for private voluntary organizations, small- and medium-scale enterprises and individuals. The center now has an extensive collection of information on schools in the U.S. It therefore attracts a lot of students from the middle and northern sectors of the country who are interested in getting information about educational opportunities in the U.S. On the average, 80 students visit the center every month for this information. Hitherto, such information was accessed only in Accra.

With the expansion of its services, the center has earned enough to pay workers and utility bills, maintain the computers, and ultimately provide affordable computer services to the poor in Kumasi.