e-Commerce And Renewable Energy

2007-09-14T13:49:00.000Z

eCARE VIDEO Please click on above "eCARE Video" link and allow few seconds to load clip

2007-07-06T11:35:00.000Z

eCARE COMMISSIONS NORTHERN SECTOR PROJECT ROLLOUT AT CHUCHULIGA

The Northern Sector eCARE project rollout which was commissioned on June 21, 2007 by the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Awudu Yeremia and supported by the District Chief Executive, Hon. Thomas Kofi Alonsi at Chuchuliga a small farming community, 9 km from Navrongo in the Builsa district of the Upper East was the first in the region

Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Awudu Yeremia giving his address

The CEO of Ghana Telecom Mr. Dickson Oduro Nyaning in his address read for him by the Upper East Regional Director of Ghana Telecom, said, the project has successfully established 52 centres in 8 regions of Ghana and is adding 17 more to bring the number to 69 by close of June 2007 to cover all 10 regions of Ghana.

Mr. Musa Awudu Upper East Regional Director of Ghana Telecom giving address on behalf of Mr. Dickson Oduro Nyaning, the CEO of Ghana Telecom.

A typical building of Chuchuliga. Solar installations before the eCARE commissioning at chchuliga

Mr. Joseph Abanyin, the eCARE Project Manager addressing the gathering, said, eCommerce eCARE is addressing developmental and economic needs in Ghana’s rural and peri urban communities where purely commercial oriented organizations have neglected over the years. He said, the first batch of the 2007 eCARE project rollout has received close collaboration between eCARE, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Ghana Investment Fund for Telecommunication (GIFTEL) of the Ministry of Communication leading to the sponsorship of 5 centres by UNDP as part of her efforts to meet some developmental needs in Ghana through eCARE. Mr. Abanyin also emphasized that, Provision of internet to the remote centres which was a major problem has become a thing of the past with new technology deployed by Ghana Telecom, and making Chuchuliga the first eCARE centre to commercially use the new technology. eCARE project facilitates the extension of telecommunication and renewable energy services powered by solar energy to underprivileged rural and peri urban communities using furnished shipping containers equipped with telephones, multimedia computers, printers, scanners, copiers and internet.

Browsing the internet & testing the new phone lines before commissioning

The Assembly Woman of Chuchuliga & others dancing to the occasion

Hon. Kofi Asanti, the CEO of GIFTEL addressing the gathering during the commissioning.

The project is a collaborative effort between Ghana Telecom (GT), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Foundation (UNF), Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment (KITE), UNDP and GIFTEL.

2007-07-06T09:49:00.000Z

eCARE TRANSPORT 17 CONTAINERS FOR JUNE PROJECT ROLLOUT

As part of the eCARE project's effort to facilitate the establishment and operation of Rural Business Centres (RBCs) for the extension of telecommunication and renewable energy services to underprivileged rural and peri urban communities, the project deploys RBCs comprising converted and furnished shipping containers equipped with telephones, fully multimedia computers, printers, scanners, copiers, internet and solar panels to the targetted communities.

eCARE Project Team inspecting works on container conversion

To meet the project schedule as well as the quality standard required for the project rollout, the project team periodically inspects and interact with project contractors and their staff to know the progress of work done.

eCARE Project Team interacts with some artisans during the container conversion

Some model containers ready for branding

After almost three months of hectic time of conversion and remodelling shipping containers into Rural Business centres (RBC) for the first batch of the 2007 eCARE project rollout, 17 RBC are ready to be transported for the June project rollout.

Finished containers being loaded to be transported to new eCARE sites.

2007-07-05T19:00:00.000Z

Twenty Four (24) New Entrepreneurs Complete eCARE Training

The eCARE project made another feat when the fourth batch of entrepreneurs completed their 5-day training programme on Friday 20th April 2007 for the main phase project rollout scheduled for June 2007.

Mr. Justice Gaveh (in blue), GCB Corporate Manager awarding certificate to an entrepreneur at the closing celemony

The 5-day intensive training programme utilized enterprise development approach to train potential entrepreneurs at the Ghana Telecom University College (GTUC) on various subjects including Bookkeeping, marketing/customer care, how to expand the eCARE business, small business management, basic computer utilization skills, the telephone system, renewable energy resources and Value Added Service (VAS)

A cross section of entrepreneurs during the closing section

The main objective of the eCARE entrepreneur training was to provide knowledge, skills and attitudes to ensure successful business practice at eCARE Rural Business Centres (RBCs). The closing ceremony for the training programme, held on the 20th of April 2007 was attended by the Principal of GTUC, some senior management personnel from Ghana Telecom Head Office, media personnel and friends of eCARE.

Entrepreneurs watching the demontration of new M2M machine for the eCARE centres. The participants were very enthusiastic and showed appreciation to the project partners, resource persons, organizers and sponsors of the training programme. They were appreciative of the opportunity Ghana Telecom and Partners have given them to acquire knowledge, attitudes and skills to manage the RBCs.

2007-01-11T11:15:00.000Z

50th eCARE CENTRE COMMISSIONED AT WONOO

The eCARE project last December commissioned the 50th centre at Sakora Wonoo, a small community in the Kwabre District of Ashanti region of Ghana. By this achievement, the people will benefit immensely from the centre's services especially the internet and will no longer travel long distances to Kumasi for these and other value added renewable energy services.

Crowd wainting their turn to enter the new eCARE Centre

Mr. Joseph Abanyin, eCARE Manager giving his address

In a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Osei Assibey, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, urged the people of Sakora Wonoo to make maximum use of the ICT facility to enhance their socio-economic well being. He said, the eCARE centres are providing rural inhabitants with jobs, thus complementing government’s efforts in raising the living standards of individuals in rural communities.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of GT, Mr. Oduro Nyaning in a speech read for him by the Ghana Telecom Ashanti Regional Manager, Nana Boffour Awuah said, the eCARE project is Ghana Telecom and Partners’ (UNF, UNEP, GT, KITE and TMP) latest innovations meant to serve the telecommunication needs of rural communities nationwide. “As the global village undergoes development at a fast pace, we have identified how best we can provide under-privileged societies with telephones, internet and other value added telecommunication services which is no more a luxury but a vital link to the rest of the world,” he stressed.

Ghana Telecom Ashanti Regional Manager Nana Boffour Awuah

In a speech read for her by Mr Solomon Quansah, the Director of KITE, Harriette AMISSAH-ARTHUR (Mrs.) said, the eCARE project aims at poverty reduction in peri-urban and rural communities by confronting two key challenges: the “Digital Divide” and the “Energy Divide”. The Energy-Divide as it were has in many cases served to further deepen the Digital Divide .

Nana Bawuah Bonsafo addressing the gathering.

The chairman of the function, Nana Bawuah Bonsafo, the ‘Boafohene’ of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Ashanti Hene, emphasized the importance of the ICT to the socio-economic development of every society, and urged the people to take full advantage of the facility, to improve their standard of living.

The UNDP as part of their efforts to support the eCARE project is adopting the Wonoo and five other centres for sponsorship. The eCARE Manager, Mr. Joseph Abanyin said, 37 centres in eight regions of the country, namely Central, Eastern, Volta, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern and Western, are operational, disclosing that additional 15 centres would be established by close of 2006 to bring the total number of eCARE centres to 52.

2006-11-14T18:05:00.000Z

Rachel Payne (Google.org) interviewing Joseph A. Abayin (eCARE Manager) eCARE, KITE, AREED, Technoserve and Google.org team in a discusion. eCARE-AREED MEETS WITH GOOGLE.ORG TEAM A team fromGoogle.org, the philanthropic arm of Google the leading search engine in the world called on the eCARE-AREED team whilst on a working visit to Ghana. A combined 8-member eCARE- AREED team met with Rachel Payne, Google.org Team Member and Nick, the Technoserve Country Director in Ghana (Nick happens to be running the Google.Org Ghana show at the moment).Google.org sponsored the business plan competition organized by Technoserve, an international NGO. The Ghanaian team was made up of two AREED entrepreneurs, Gladymannuel (host) and Anasset, two eCARE entrepreneurs (both of whom had traveled from their locations outside of Accra that morning just for the meeting), Joseph and Fred members of GT eCARE team, Frank and Harriett from KITE. The google.org team took the opportunity to listen to presentations from development oriented projects such as eCARE and AREED. A presentation from the eCARE project was delivered by Mr. Joseph Ampeaw Abanyin, the eCARE Manager on project origins, current status and the way forward.

2006-10-11T17:42:00.000Z

ADJARAJA eCARE CENTRE COMMISSIONED

eCARE ’s quest to bridge the wide gap between urban and rural dwellers in the use of telecommunication facilities and renewable energy services was given a big boost when it inaugurated one of its Rural Business Centres (RBCs) at Adjaraja Beposo, to enable the people have easy access to telephone, computer training, internet, renewable energy and other value added services.

Picture: crowd trooping to catch a glimpse of the new eCARE centre after the ceremony

Minister of Communication, Professor Mike Oquaye, in a speech read on his behalf said Ghana had witnessed tremendous growth in Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication. He disclosed that Ghana, which ranked 143rd in 2004, in terms of e-government preparedness by the United Nations (UN), has now placed 133rd, out of 191 countries, in 2005. “It is obvious that the eCARE centres provide Ghana Telecom and partners with an opportunity to give back to under-privileged communities. Gradually, the luxury of communication as it was considered a few years ago is becoming part of the lives of peri-urban and rural societies,” he observed. According to the Minister, the eCARE centres would as well provide rural folks with jobs, thus complementing government’s efforts in raising the living standards of individuals and consequently improving Ghana’s socio-economic values. He commended Ghana Telecom and partners for their relentless efforts in linking communities, irrespective of their geographical location, to the rest of the world, through the power of technology in the face of its numerous challenges.

The people welcome a and celebrate the new eCARE centre

Visit again for other remarks.

2006-09-22T16:40:00.000Z

ADJARAJA BEPOSO RECEIVES AN eCARE CENTRE.

Having been deprived for decades without electricity and other many social amenities, the people of Adjaraja were very sceptical at the promise to bring them telephone and other Information and telecommunication Technology (ICT) facilities which require electricity to power the equipment. Anxiety set in and their fear of being hyped was confirmed when the community was informed that the date of arrival of the much awaited eCARE centre has been postponed. It was a dream come true and ecstasy when a DHL Truck arrived with the container followed by the eCARE project and Ghana Telecom regional team to prepare the ground for the final commissioning of the middle sector eCARE rollout at Adjaraja Beposo.

The Assembly man (in orange T-shirt) and Mr. Anthony Adusei-Poku the Adjaraja eCARE entrepreneur (in brown shirt) inspecting the computers and other equipment for the centre's installations. Surrounding them are children and adults some seeing computers and Solar panels for the first time.

Renewable Energy Technician (on the roof) installing Solar Panel at Adjaraja Beposo eCARE centre

A means of transport to Adjara Beposo

Mr. Solomon K. Quansah-KITE (in Yellow Lacoste) interacting with some of the villagers to identify their expectations about the new eCARE centre.

Interaction with some members of the village revealed that the installation of the eCARE centre at Adjaraja will save the people from walking or travelling 7 kilometres to Prang or 27 kilometres to Atebubu just to make calls, buy recharge phone units for their cell phone or have their mobile phones charged amidst the highly unreliable transport system.

The people of Adjaraja Beposo were the first to benefit from the eCARE facility in Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo and the northern regions of Ghana. Adjaraja Beposo is an under-privileged farming community near Prang in the Pru District of Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The village and the surrounding community have a total population of about 8500 with farming and trading as the main economic activities. Adjaraja has no electricity, post office, clinic, and pipe borne water to name a few.

The centre was commissioned on august 24, 2006 and please watch out for update on the commissioning which witnessed an overwhelming participation.

2006-08-29T09:13:00.000Z

Picture 3: Ms. April Tubbs, Mr. Samuel Akankpanab and Mr. Joseph Ampeaw Abanyin admiring the wooden bag nd other gifts. Picture 2: Ms. April Tubbs receiving the present from Anita Skagnaes (former eCARE Manager and currently Broadband Project Manager)

Picture 1

APRIL COMPLETES AN INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT AT eCARE It is always difficult and full of emotions when one has to part company with work colleagues, especially when the former means a lot to the latter. This was the situation on August 4, 2006, Ms. April's last day at the eCARE office. The emotionally charged atmosphere was climaxed when Ms. Anita Skagnaes and Ms. April Tubbs shook hands and embraced each other to bid farewell for the excellent job done. In appreciation of the invaluable services rendered by Ms. April during her short stint with eCARE, the project team on behalf of the eCARE Project Partners and Ghana Telecom presented a token as captured in the inserted pictures.

Picture 1 above shows Mr. Joseph Ampeaw Abanyin (eCARE Manager) standing and warming up to read the citation accompanying the presentation. In attendance were from far left Ms. April Tubbs (eCARE Industrial Attachment), Mr. Samuel Akankpanab (eCARE Implementation Officer); from far right Ms. Anita Skagnaes (former eCARE Manager), Ms. Afua Amankwah[Brand Management, Corporate Communications (CC), Ghana Telecom (GT)], Mr. Osei Afriyie (Media Relations, CC, GT), Mr. Isaac Abraham (Internal Relations, CC, GT).

At the short presentation ceremony, the team eCARE team took the opportunity to wish Ms. April all the best in her education, chosen career and future endeavours. Furthermore, they prayed for God's blessings and guidance in all that she does.

Ms. April Tubbs, a Masters in Public Administration student of Columbia University, USA joined the eCARE Project from 7th June 2006 to 4th August 2006 for an industrial attachment.

2006-07-31T11:39:00.000Z

Entrepreneur Spotlight: Asanta eCARE Centre

Under eCARE centre window Entrepreneur Mr. Dwukwah (middle) discusses operations with eCARE Manager Mr. Joseph Abanyin (right) and eCARE Entrepreneur Coordination Officer Mr. Fred Brookman (left).

IN ASANTA, Western Region Paul Kofi Dwukwah has successfully started business at his Promise eCARE Centre. His daughter, Mavis, assists in the work at the eCARE Centre as Mr. Dwukwah is still working as a farmer, running other businesses in Asanta and an Assembly member. Asanta is located in Western Region, not far from Ankobra. e-Commerce And Renewable Energy (eCARE) provides rural Ghanaians such as Mr. Dwukwah with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs and own a communition centre complete with telephones, computer, printer, and solar energy panel.

Part of the eCARE project team visited the centre on the 25^th of July 2006 on a mission to Western and Central regions to assess the business for the eCARE centres. The Asanta eCARE Centre started operations in April 2006. They are now providing telephony services, phone charging, printing of documents, picture scanning, poster creation, ONEtouch phone card sales, fax and creation of wedding cards. He hopes to add a photocopier to his site in the near future. They advertise all of the products and services that they provide on the local radio as well as Ankobra FM 101.9. He also has employed sales agent that sell ONEtouch products in the nearby communities which reduces the transportation costs for those people who normally would travel in order to obtain phone cards.

When the lights go out in Asanta, this entrepreneur doesn’t fret. His eCARE centre becomes the only light in town due to the eCARE solar energy panels and when he is showing movies at his nearby screening area he can easily use the solar energy in order to keep his audience satisfied. “If there is light, no light because of eCARE we can always charge phones.”

Inside Asanta's eCARE Centre Entrepreneur Mr. Dwukwah at his often solar powered theatre.

2006-07-18T15:19:00.000Z

New eCARE Entrepreneurs Prepare to Receive their eCARE Centres

The above picture shows part of the eCARE team and eCARE entrepreneurs that will be starting business in the next month (end of August/early Sept 2006). The entrepreneurs passed through a week-long training program and have paid seed money for the establishment of eCARE centres in rural and peri-urban communities in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, and Northern regions of Ghana. eCARE will be hosting a launching of the new sites in a small village in Ghana's Brong Ahafo region, Adjaraja Beposo. The eCARE centre in this village will be fully powered by solar energy panels and the centre will be the only light in this remote village that does not have access to electricity. Mr. Anthony Osei Poku is the entrepreneur of the site in Adjaraja Beposo, Ghana. "My eCARE centre will be the only light in town - people will naturally gather at the eCARE centre." Mr. Osei has many plans for allowing the community to learn about computers at the centre. His centre will be serving a wide area that otherwise does not have easy access to computers and cheap telephony services. "Community members will be able to access pricing information of yams in Kokomba Yam Market and in Accra which will improve their business - yams are a major business in this area." On 24 August 2006 eCARE's project partners, local community leaders, Ghana Telecom management, eCARE entrepreneurs, and community members will gather together in Adjaraja Beposo to celebrate the commissioning of more eCARE centres.

2006-07-06T15:39:00.000Z

Below are some eCARE pictures!

Inside an eCARE Centre

Outside View of eCARE Centre Entrepreneurs at Week-long Training

Entrepreneur Working in her eCARE Centre

Welcome to the eCARE blog site!

2006-06-29T14:02:00.000Z

The eCARE team announces the launching of the eCARE blog site! eCARE stands for e-Commerce And Renewable Energy.

eCARE was initiated in December 2003 in response to the United Nations’ and the Government of Ghana’s vision of utilizing Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the eradicatation of poverty. eCARE is a Public-Private Partnership composed of Ghana Telecom, Telecom Management Partner, United Nations Foundation, United Nations Environment Program, and Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment (KITE).

eCARE is accelerating the extension of clean energy and modern telecommunications services to rural and peri-urban users. eCARE accomplishes this by providing loans to rural entrepreneurs to purchase Rural Business Centres (RBCs - see picture above of outside view of eCARE centre) equipped with multimedia computers, a printer, telephones, a complete solar energy system and later Internet services. Ghana Telecom, the main telecommunications service provider in Ghana, is the in-country managing partner of the eCARE initiative. Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) manages the project investment facility. eCARE is setting a standard for sustainable development projects in rural Africa!