ICT CENTRE FOR HO WOMEN'S INSTITUTE (PAGE 11, MARCH 2, 2010)

THE Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Colonel Cyril Necku (retd), has cut the sod for the construction of a two-storey Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre estimated to cost GH¢250,000, for the Community Development Women’s Vocational Training Institute at Ho.
To be known as the Rebecca Agroh ICT Centre of Excellence, it is being funded by Dr Ken Kwaku, and named after his mother, who is a past principal of the institute, in recognition for her vision of women empowerment.
Addressing a durbar at the institute, Dr Kwaku said when completed, the centre would continue two of her mother’s passions which were education and empowerment of women, adding that he and his family were committed to entrenching the legacy.
He also announced that he had identified friends in some notable organisations who would construct and equip the centre and help to run it on a sustainable basis for three years.
Dr Kwaku, who is a Consul-General of Ghana in Tanzania, advised students of the institute to take their education seriously because it was the major key to all opportunities in the world.
“Throughout her life, my mother’s commitment was the empowerment of women and my hope is that the proposed centre which will be equipped with computers and other technological services, will continue to keep her vision of a country that utilises productively, its women citizens”, he stated.
In an address, Col. Necku said the late Madam Agroh shared the principle that the economic liberation of women would lead to the liberation and economic empowerment of households since the women were the centre bolt of every household.
He said the decision by Dr Kwaku to raise a monument in his mother’s honour and remembrance should encourage all mothers to endeavour to give the best support to their children.
Col. Necku also exhorted children to appreciate the sacrifices of their parents and to take good care of them in their old age.
He promised that part of the government’s youth employment programmes would be channelled through the institute.
The Deputy Minister of Communication, Mr Gideon Quarcoo, said the establishment of the ICT centre would open a window to the world and in line with the educational mission of the institute to train more worthy graduates.
In an address, the principal of the institute, Ms Bernice Aculey, said the timing of the project was opportune, in view of the current era of information technology, women empowerment, self and personal identification and the quest for values.
She emphasised that there was the need to assist the institute further because several years after its establishment, it had only one block which served all purposes including as dormitories, classrooms, demonstration block, dinning hall, assembly hall, residence for the principal and housemistress and administration office.
The Volta Regional Director of the Department of Community Development, Mr Andrews Imoro Alhassan, said the essence of the institute could not be underestimated because each period of governance of the nation from post-colonial time had come out with alternative programmes to enhance the capacity of the marginalised in the society and that the institute was ready to admit more females to enable them improve their lives.