Asante Akim Multipurpose Community Telecentre (AAMCT)

AAMCT uses ICT as a tool for empowering rural communities, in particular, and for promoting social, cultural, and economic growth. The idea involves drawing on technology to help prepare Asante Akim residents to meet the increasing computer needs of schools, business, and industry by providing skills in microcomputers, operating systems, database management, word processing, spreadsheets, office skills, the Web, personal computer (PC) troubleshooting, etc.

Specifically, the AAMCT's computer-equipped facilities are used to provide education and health-related training to people in the district. The training centre is equipped with 10 computers, an overhead projector, a slide projector, a data projector, two printers, a flatbed scanner, a camcorder, and a digital camera. The room offers voice, internet, email, and data services to the general public. These technologies support training through the following types of learning vehicles:

• instructor-led course materials
• online tutorials for self-study learners
• online instructor-led courses

Using these media, AAMCT offers adult basic education (ABE) classes, life-long learning opportunities, and basic computer comfort (to introduce people to the keyboard, the mouse, how to turn the machine on and off, and some basic applications which will enable adults to use the computer without supervision and prepare them for more advanced computer training in the future). The centre also serves as a space for mentoring younger people, facilitating telecommunications contact with relatives and friends, and offering financial planning assistance and health care information.

Technology, Health, Economic Development.

The village of Patriensa has about 4,000 residents, with about 74% of the population working in farming. Illiteracy and unemployment rates are very high; both income levels and access to health services are very limited

The training material used by AAMCT is designed to prepare IT professionals for tests leading to designations such as the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) for Windows 2000, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Certified Novell Administrator (CAN), Certified Novell Engineer (CNE), Certified Internet Professional (CIP), Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) and A+.

AAMCT also has a health centre that provides community health screening, medical counseling, sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment, HIV/AIDS testing, family planning, and access to contraceptives to patients who come from all over the country. The health centre is managed by two trained nurses, a pharmacist, and a mobile health team from Agogo hospital. The AAMCT’s Centre for Indigenous healing (CIH) provides treatment for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, asthma, STIs, and reproductive-related illnesses.

In addition, AAMCT's has initiated a Non-Motorised Transportation Project in response to the fact that rural transportation for farmers is almost nonexistent. (Farmers often walk long distances to their farms (an average of 4-6 miles) and carry their load on their head.) AAMCT provides bicycles to farmers on a need-to-use basis. It has also initiated a bicycle-tricycle conversion program (BTCP) that involves: soliciting bicycles, spare parts, and accessories from the developed world; shipping them in containers to Patriensa, and then carrying out a bicycle repair training, conversion, and service programme. The goal is to create employment and improve access to work, promote sustainable development, protect the environment, and provide courier services in the Asante Akim district.