Sekondi to become ICT centre

Sekondi, Sept. 17, GNA – Sekondi Constituency Secretariat of New Patriotic Party (NPP) has negotiated with management of Ghana Telecom (GT) to make Sekondi an Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) centre within the next four years.      Papa Owusu Ankomah, Member of Parliament for Sekondi, who announced this said these were some of the efforts to transform Sekondi into a modern ICT city.      Speaking to Ghana News Agency at Sekondi on Monday,      Papa Ankomah said there were several historical landmarks in Sekondi and the past must not be used as a yardstick to measure its development.      He pointed out that the historical buildings and other artefacts in the community must be properly preserved to attract people to visit, live in and tell future generations about Sekondi.      Papa Ankomah said some residents at Sekondi living abroad had expressed their desire to support in transforming Sekondi when they presented 30 computers to train the youth free of charge.       He said though many residents and corporate institutions had abandoned Sekondi for Takoradi, some strategic activities could attract them back.      "Several activities must be undertaken to reverse the declining fortunes of Sekondi and bring it back into the centre of development and technology, "he said.      Papa Ankomah noted that when the Esser lagoon was dredged and rehabilitated with facilities as a beach resort, many inhabitants would patronise it , many social activities could be organised as part of the revival and promotion of local tourism at Sekondi.      He said a Centre for Employable Skills would soon be established at Ekuasi for entrepreneurship training for the youth to be self-employed and form co-operatives and joint ventures.      Papa Ankomah who is also Minister for Trade, Industry, President's Special Initiative (PSIs) and Private Sector Development said most of the youth had entrepreneurial spirit but lacked the courage to venture into such fields and pledged to offer counseling as part of their training.       He noted that about 300 people with skills had been identified and would be assisted under the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) to obtain certificates.      Papa Ankomah said such people could be employed in the oil industry since the twin city of Sekondi and Takoradi would become the Capital City of the Oil Industry.      He said negotiations were underway with some investors to establish a shopping mall within Sekondi but provision of land was a major problem confronting them.      "Presently, lands in Sekondi are exhausted and developments are moving towards Shama and Agona Nkwanta. We as leaders are working relentlessly to ensure such future developments become beneficial to all and sundry."      Papa Ankomah said unemployment was a global challenge and the youth must be encouraged to become creative to reduce their reliance on government for employment. GNA