Western Union Donates Computer to Ghanaian-Canadian Centre

Western Union Financial Services Limited on Friday, July 25, 2003 donated 4 personal computers and one laser jet printer at the cost of $ 6,604.55 to the Opportunities Centre for Ghanaian-Canadians (OCGC) in Toronto. The presentation was Western Union?s educational support for the centre to advance its community services.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr. J.R. Hassan who is in charge of Western Union operations in Ontario stressed the goals and services of his organisation for the Ghanaian community. He said, ?Western Union is prepared to assist the community through participation in community wide programs and organized projects such as the Ghanaian Canadian Opportunities Centre?. He then praised the organizers of the centre for their hardwork and thanked them for the opportunity created for his organisation to offer its support to the Ghanaian Community in Toronto. Mr. Hassan called on Ghanaians in Canada to use the services to send money back home to Ghana. He described such services as being ?fast and reliable?.

On his part the Director of the Opportunities Centre For Ghanaian-Canadians (OCGC), Mr. Emmanuel Ayiku who is also the Publisher of the Ghanaian News thanked the Western Union for the donation. He commended the donors and assured them that the computers would be made available to students and the Ghanaian community in general to improve their computer literacy. Mr. Ayiku described the donation as a humble beginning in the efforts of the Western Union Financial Services Limited to practically assist the Ghanaian community. He also appealed to other organizations to follow the example of Western Union. A ribbon was cut by a Western Union representative from U.S.A to open the computer lab for the centre at 2256 Sheppard Av. West.

The Opportunities Centre for Ghanaian-Canadians (OCGC) is a community based non-profit organization formed about 3 years ago to assist African immigrants to settle in Canada. It?s services include Youth programs such as After-school tutorials, Summer Day Camps, Employment Training and counselling. There are also Recreation and sports, Basic Computer Assistance, Art & Cultural Enrichment and Community Resource Centre among others. President at the ceremony were students of Cathrine?s Christian Academy at 2256 Sheppard Av. West; the African Entertainment Television for GTV; the Ghanaian News; Mrs. Comfort Ayiku who is the program Manager for OCGC and Mr. Kojo Boakye-Yiadom, a volunteer at OCGC.

Also, present was Mr. Milind V. Shirke, the Western Union Marketing Manager for Africa, Middle East and South Asia through whose approval the computers were donated to the centre.