Grand Opening

The Walewale Computer Lab was commissioned on Wednesday, June 1, 2011. The event was presided over by the chief of Walewale, the Durana, and held at the Catholic Jubilee Hall. The theme was “promoting technology education in the 21^st century in the West Mamprusi District.” The session was chaired by Alhaji Mohammed Haroon, District Director of the Ghana Education Service. Mr. Abubakari Abdulai of the nongovernmental organization ActionAid was the keynote speaker. Mr. Issah Sadat, Internal Audit Officer for the West Mamprusi District Assembly represented the District Chief Executive and spoke on behalf of local government. Remarks were also made by project organizers Jacob Marder and Mashood Mahama. Prayers were offered by Mallam Abdulai (Islamic) and Pastor Eddi (Christian). The Durana also briefly addressed the audience and reflected on the development he has witnessed during his period as overlord of the community. Prominent community members in attendance included Issah Abdulai (former Presiding Member of the West Mamprusi District Assembly), the Naakosi-Naa (butcher's chief), and various heads of junior high schools in Walewale. There were almost fifty guests at the ceremony.

Following the ceremony all guests immediately made their way in a motor vehicle and motorcycle convoy to the project site. Peace Corps Volunteer Jacob Marder held the ribbon as the Durana performed his ribbon cutting duties and inaugurated the building. Mallam Abdulai immediately offered a prayer for the facility’s sustainability. The chief’s entourage, followed by invited guests and many interested community members entered the facility for the first time. It was the Durana’s first time to see computers with his own eyes! Project organizer Mashood Mahama assisted the overlord with a brief Internet browsing experience. Complimentary internet and email creation service for the entire community were provided for the remainder of the afternoon.

Pictures of the opening day can be found here.

Memorable quotes from the inauguration ceremony include:

We are here today not only inaugurating a computer lab in Walewale, but more significantly we are celebrating the birth of Walewale, and for that matter Mamprugu, on the global map.

It is said that in the twenty-first century literacy is not defined as only the ability to read and write, but also encompasses the ability to use a computer.

-Mr. Abubakari Abdulai, ActionAid

You might be asking whether I am campaigning. My answer is YES. I am campaigning for technology education in this district. ICT has now been integrated into the junior high school syllabus, yet schools have neither electricity nor a single computer. What are we doing as members of this community to help the Ghana Education Service? Or, as usual, are we simply waiting on government to provide.

The motto of the Walewale Computer Lab Project is ‘’connecting Mamprugu to the world,’’ and indeed with togetherness, like the Americans say, ‘’yes we can’’!

-Mr. Mashood Mahama, Project Organizer

Information technology is developing rapidly, and for successful socioeconomic development, modern technology must be incorporated into as many facets of daily life as possible.

No country, including my own, developed overnight or without difficulty. For those interested in aiding in the development of this community, do not forget the necessity of perseverance in making your goals a reality.

-Mr. Jacob Marder, United States Peace Corps