African Americans build high-tech school

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 May '99

A group of renowned African Americans have built a 430 million-cedi modern technology school at Ada to accelerate the study of computer and modern technology in Ghana.

The project, initiated by Isaac Hayes, a renowned African American musician and actor, who was crowned Noyaa Mantse (chief of development) of Ada traditional area in 1992, is due to be commissioned in August this year.

It forms part of efforts by the Californian-based World Literacy Crusade (WLC), founded by he Reverend Alfredie John, to increase computer and modern technological literacy among Africans and African-Americans.

The major sponsors of the project include Mr Denzel Washington, a renowned African American actor who provided 50,000 dollars and Mr Bruce Willis, a boxing promoter who donated 25,000 dollars.

Others are Mr Bob Johnson, owner of Black Entertainment Television (BET), the first privately owned TV station in America, who provided 25,000 dollars and Isaac Hayes, who provided 10,000 dollars.

Naa Asie Ocansey, WLC Ambassador to Africa, told the GNA that other sponsorships are in the form of computers and equipment. Network Computer Systems (NCS) would provide free Internet services for the school.

She said the school would offer courses in marketing, vocational skills, computer science, Internet, among others.

"We will soon liaise with the Ministries of Education and Environment, Science and Technology, and the Universities to develop an elaborate course outline for the school."

Naa Ocansey mentioned inappropriate study technology and lack of knowledge and understanding of computer jargons and courses as the reasons for low-key computer technology skills among Africans especially.

"For this reason we employed 11 experts from the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa between August last year and January this year to train 37 Ghanaian teachers and 975 children in modern study technology."

She said the school would be dedicated to accelerating the turnout of computer literate persons in Africa, adding that the ultimate aim is to facilitate Africa's development through human resource development.

"We hope to assist Africans to have a firm grip on computer technology and improve their working habits as the new millennium with its challenges approaches."