IICD supported project: Center for Information and Communication Technology (CICT)

Countries: Ghana [GH]
Sectors: education

Summary

Over the years, an increasing number of companies, organisations and institutions in Ghana have become increasingly aware of the possibility of using modern ICTs to improve efficiency and effectiveness of their activities. This heightened interest is attributable to many internationally-sponsored and Ghanaian initiatives such as the Leyland initiative (internet infrastructure and promotion); UNDP's SNDP (ICT as a tool for sustainable development); Ghana's Structural Adjustment Programme and communication's sector deregulation; and Ghana's Vision 2020. A 1998 study carried out by the Institute for Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), revealed that there has been a significant increase in demand in ICT professionals without a commensurate increase in supply. This study also noted that most ICT facilities are developed, installed and maintained by foreign experts and/or computer firms. This gap between training and employment is not only in terms of numbers but also in terms of the skills required to fill the emerging positions in the job market. The country's universities and polytechnics are unable to address this problem. Therefore, in July 1998, IICD together with the ISOG and Ministry of Communication, held an IICD ICT Roundtable to identify economic priority sectors and to determine how to diffuse ICT into these sectors in a way that will contribute to realising the objectives of the above-mentioned initiatives. Out of the Roundtable emerged the understanding that an institution to provide training on emerging ICTs is required to bridge the existing gap between training and employment in Ghana and the West African sub-region. The CICT is geared toward building local ICT capacity; thereby halting the increasing dependency on foreign experts to service ICT facilities. The Project expects to enhance the effective and efficient utilisation of the facilities, therefore increasing productivity and contributing to the Ghanaian economy. The CICT will focus on technical training in order to deliver much-needed certified engineers, programmers and software developers.

Update

Updated: 2006-08-03

The Centre for ICT is located in the Centre for Scientific Research in
Accra since January 2000. A Website provides all detailed information
on the centre (www.cict.org.gh). The program focuses on the training of
information officers and ICT specialists. In co-operation with IICD’s
Capacity Development Programme, the Centre has developed a unique way
of ‘project-oriented capacity development’, which is to provide the
trainees hands-on tools directly enhancing their daily work with ICT.
The initial program includes 2-weeks courses on information management,
network management, Web development and Database development. To
support the country programme of ISOG and IICD, CICT provided training
to project staff of Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of
Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry
of Health. Other beneficiaries include public institutions, companies
and national and international NGOs. The project is already
sustainable. The Centre has become a regional CISCO academy and
establishes local CISCO academies.

Objectives

The Project's specific objective is to produce ICT specialists equipped with the requisite state-of-the-art skills to design, build, operate and support local ICT development initiatives.

The CICT will be developed in Accra and will use various advanced technologies in the designing and development of its programmes as well as in the delivery of its services. Initially, training will be conducted on-site using the classical mode of teaching, presentation tools and hands-on exercises to facilitate the learning process. As the client base extends to outside Accra, some programmes will be delivered using automated learning tools and distance learning methodologies such as Computer Based Training (CBT).

Development Impacts

The Project expects to build the local capacity required to diffuse ICT into the various economic priority sectors. It is formulated in order to enable the application of ICTs in ways that facilitate Ghanaian efforts to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable economic and social development as envisaged by mentioned initiatives. The CICT is an essential step towards developing an economically productive ICT sector in Ghana of Ghanaian origin. CICT services will meet the needs of a number of entities including state agencies, private sector, and NGOs and international organisations with Projects including a capacity building module. Beneficiaries are the Ghanaian workforce, employers and the economy at large.

The Project expects to facilitate the entering into the Ghanaian workforce of an average of 500 ICT trained specialists annually. Each will receive training in one or more of the five core CICT activities: 1) basic computer literacy; 2) web development; 3) back-bone networking technology; 4) software engineering; and 5) ICT management. Through exposure to international partnerships, knowledge and skills in terms of international methodologies and techniques as well as best practices, will be transferred to CICT staff and trainees. Though relatively little, the Project offers direct employment and high-level training to CICT staff (7). CICT has the potential to operate as a larger-scale educational institution; collaborating with local or foreign institutions of higher learning that offer degrees in Computer Science and Information Communication Technology. It is anticipated that the Centre will become accredited with the ISO9000 international standard.

Market and finance

Though the demand for CICT-like services is quite high, no other in-country institutes offer similar training programmes. Having worked closely with the Ministry of Communication, and local industry during its setup, the Centre is assured of a ready market for its services. In addition, a partnership approach will be pursued in both operational and financial terms; that is, the CICT will seek-out collaborative relationships with agencies such as IICD, USAID, UNDP, CIDA, DANIDA, British Council and World Bank. It is expected that the training services will be well subscribed to, with a subscription rate of 75% from state agencies and 55% from NGOs and international agencies. Plans are far advanced to bring the SchoolNet, WorldLink and Global Teenager member institutions into the Project fold. Once this effort has materialised, the Centre will be assured 100% participation from such institutions. Participation from private sector institutions is expected to vary from 40% to 70%, depending on their level of computing and network facilities. Part of the initial marketing strategy will be to offer free training and seminars to prospective clients during the 4 weeks following completion of Phase I. After each Phase, the market position and client training needs will be re-evaluated using survey techniques; the results of which will serve as inputs to strategic business planning.

Revenues over the Project's life total USD2,006,300. The underlying yearly figures are based on a Year 1 services demand for 200 trainees and an annual demand growth rate of 5%. In addition, the Project is expected to increase market share over the years. This market share is anticipated to grow at a differentiated rate for each of the training services offered and depends on the current and expected number of competitors in each service. The result is an estimated demand for 620 trainees by Year 6. Prices for training services are set on the basis of experiences with other courses and on interviews with members of the target market. To meet investment and operational costs associated with the first three years of operation, CICT will initially rely on external funding. The Project is expected to become profitable as of its 2nd year of operations. Most importantly, thereafter, CICT will be a self-sustaining organisation.

Project Owner : Internet Society of Ghana (ISOG)

Project Partners : Private Enterprise Foundation, Network Computer Systems, Institute of Engineers, Ministry of Communications and IICD.

Project Contact : IICD