Ghana signs MOU with Intel

Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - Ghana on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement (MOU) with Intel Corporation to foster a public-private partnership that would make ICT education more accessible, personal computers affordable and boost the manufacturing of computers in Ghana.

At a meeting with Vice President Aliu Mahama at the Castle, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Communications and Technology, signed for Ghana, while Mr John Davis, Vice President of Intel, endorsed it on behalf of his corporation.

Under the agreement, Intel and the Communications Ministry would collaborate with financial institutions, the GETFUND Secretariat, SSNIT, Ghana Telecom and other relevant institutions to fully computerise the universities and subsidise the cost of computers to make it easier for Ghanaians, especially employees to own them.

Local industries engaged in the manufacturing and assembling computers would also be assisted to increase the level of patronage of their products, which is now about 20 per cent. Nigeria supplies about 50 per cent of its computer needs.

Vice President Mahama welcomed the partnership with Intel, saying their agenda was in line with the Government's policy to integrate ICT training and utilisation into all aspect of Ghanaian life.

He assured the world's largest chip maker and leading in the manufacturer of computer, that it would make significant gains on its investments in Ghana.

"Ghana is a peaceful and stable country with a fast growing economy," he said. "You can also reach the Sub-Regional market from here and the prospects are good."

The Vice President said Communications Ministers in the Sub-Region collaborate on policy issues and other programmes already, therefore, laying the foundation for a prosperous business would be much easier. Mr Davis for his part, said his corporation was enthusiastic about the alliance and the programmes to be implemented to assist in the delivery of quality education to Ghanaians.

He said Intel's e-school programme in Ireland would be introduced to Ghana for the benefit of university students.

Mr Kan-Dapaah said efforts were underway to get a regulatory institution to harmonise the contributions of the stakeholders in the venture and to ensure that guidelines were adhered to.

Intel, formed 35 years ago, supplies computing and communications industries with chips, boards, systems and software building blocks that are used in computers, servers and networking and communication products.

In 2003, the corporation, which makes substantial investment in research, had a net revenue of 30, 141 million dollars.