ICT in Ghana

One of the requests this trip was for a seminar for church leaders and ministers about ICT (Information Computer Technology). It seems "progress" is coming to Ghana. For example, the government has added ICT to the curriculum at all grade levels in Ghana. And, there are now several broadband providers in Accra, but still no other option better than satelite for VOH. I also noticed other changes on the ride into town this morning. There seem to be considerably fewer partially-completed buildings visible. Everyone seems to think things are improving, tho slowly. So today I spoke at Nsawam Road church of Christ in Accra on "Information Computer Technology and its Impact on the Ghanaian Church".

I was donated a set of infrayed "clickers" this trip. So, after introducing myself, I asked a few questions and "polled the audience". It seemed to be a new experience for all of them and that allowed me to use it as an example in several places. We then talked about what computers are and what the internet is and how it works. I showed examples of email, web pages, blogs, chat, etc. Then talked about what you need and how to get started it you want. We took a short break and started in again. This session was on how IT changes its environment and how the environment changes IT. Then I tried to give them some idea of how things have been changed in the US and made a guess at what might happen in Ghana. Then I spent some time talking about how technology suggests morale values in very subtle ways. Finally, I wrapped up talking about conflict resolution based on some material I "stole" from Joey Cope and then answered questions. Thank you to everyone praying about that talk; I think it went quite well.

As with all Ghanaian plans, ours are changing as we go. A bit more of some things and bit less of others. I will teach the last of our "Integrating ICT" lessons to teachers at VOH on Monday. I plan to make sure every teacher has one lesson that uses a computer in some way. If half of them use it, it will be much more than is happening now.

In other news, the computers here are on their last legs; I don't know how much longer they will last. Tommy says they are at least 6 years old. Based on licensing stickers, I am pretty sure they were not new when they arrived here. So I have been thinking about finding a way to replace them. More on that later after I talk to Director Fred Asare next week.

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