Upgrading of Press Centre Internet Cafe completed

Accra, Sept. 21, GNA - The upgrading and renovation works of the internet caf=E9 at the Ghana International Press Centre have been completed in preparation for a basic ICT training for selected journalists throughout the country.

Fifteen new ultra-modern flat screen computers and other state of the art accessories have been installed at the caf=E9, bringing the number of computers in to 20, according to a statement signed in Accra on Thursday by Mr Bright Blewu, General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

It said the facility and training were provided by UNESCO/IPDC/Japanese Funds-in=96Trust (JFIT) Project. It said about 60 journalists were expected to benefit from the training with each group spending five days.

The statement said the main objective of the Project by UNESCO International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) was to strengthen the human resource capacity of journalists in ICT, and improve understanding of internet use and their ability to use simple and complex search engines for research.

It also gives an opportunity to improve the capacity of the trainees to use the computer for page planning, layout and design and improve on their skills in digital age journalism/on-line-journalism.=94 The total cost of the project including procurement and installation equipment, ICT needs assessment study and the training of participants is estimated at 66,670 dollars. 21 Sept. 06