MTN, UNDP Build ICT Centre For Tolon

MTN Ghana Foundation in partnership with the UNDP has constructed a 20 seater ultra-modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre for the people of Tolon in the Tolon District of the Northern Region. 

The ICT centre according to the Executive Secretary of MTN Ghana Foundation, Robert Kuzoe would be a focal point for computer literacy education for the over 72,000 inhabitants in Tolon and its surrounding communities. 

At a colourful ceremony to inaugurate the Centre, Mr. Kuzoe said that the Tolon ICT centre was part of the foundation’s 10 ICT projects being provided in all 10 regions of Ghana, which are accompanied with projectors, colour printers, photocopiers, scanners, digital cameras, internet facilities and furniture among others. 

With a vision of leading the delivery of a bold digital world, the MTN Ghana Foundation envisaged that the provision of the ICT facilities would enable pupils, students, teachers and businesses at the local level to access online libraries which host thousands of educational resources that support teaching, learning and research. 

“Teachers and students will no longer have to rely solely on printed books and other materials which are in limited supply for their educational needs”.

Since the establishment of the foundation eight (8) years ago, MTN Ghana, according to the Executive Secretary had invested over GHC22.5 million in 135 communities across Ghana on development projects in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment. 

Mr. Robert Kuzoe said that the projects had impacted over three million people across the country.

In the area of education, the MTN Foundation, he noted had built over 75 major educational projects and 28 ICT centres out of which 10 were supported by the UNDP.

The MTN Foundation is also much revered in the Northern Region for the construction of the state-of-the-art Neo-natal Centre at the Tamale Teaching Hospital and the supply of medical equipment for the Chereponi Hospital and many others. 

Mr. Robert Kuzoe said that the MTN Ghana sees its 20 years of operation in Ghana as the beginning of many good things to happen and assured that the company would continue to support the development aspirations of the people.

The Assistant Country Director of UNDP, Mr. Louis Kuukpen commended the Regent of Tolon for providing land for the project free of charge. He cautioned the beneficiary students and teachers not to use the centre for unproductive things or to watch pornographic materials but rather use it positively for their benefit.

The Regent of Tolon, Major Retired Abubakari Sulemana who received the keys to the ICT centre commended MTN Ghana Foundation and the UNDP for the gesture which aimed at the development of the knowledge of the people.

According to him, the desire for an ICT centre had been the major priority of the traditional council to ensure that the people especially the young generation were equipped.

The Regent was therefore grateful to the donors and assured that the facility would be put to good use so as to benefit other children yet to be born. 

A seven member Management Committee was therefore inaugurated to manage, maintain and possibly expand the centre for maximum future benefit.