Over 360 dormant post offices to be turned into ICT centres

The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications has reached an agreement with Ghana Post to convert over 360 dormant post offices nationwide into information technology centers.

The move is seen as one of the best efforts to breathe life into the once active postal services.

Thirteen post offices in Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Greater Accra and Western Regions have already been connected to internet on a pilot program.

Chief Executive of GIFEC, Kofi Attoh, announced this at a training program in Kumasi for 34-military personnel drawn from various barracks countrywide.

He says the initiative will increase rural connectivity to ICT because of the strategic location of the post offices.

GIFEC has, since the beginning of this year, introduced intervention programs to make internet facilities accessible especially to education institutions.

Rural communities especially in underserved areas are expected to benefit from GIFEC with projects like Community Information Centers, Rural Communication and Library Connectivity.

Mr. Attoh announced 20 libraries in the regional capitals and other places have been connected to the internet, with all military barracks next in line.

“These Post Offices that would turn into ICT centers would belong to Ghana Post so that when they want to do their money transfer and other things again, they already have the facilities”.

According to Mr. Attoh, the move will not only revive the Ghana Post but will also benefit those who will be using the facilities.

“You can even pay your bills – electricity, water and other things can be paid and cued-in and messaged directly to Accra; this will rather expand the scope of Ghana Post because this time people don’t post letters”, he explained.

Director of Communications at Ghana Armed Forces, Colonel Mathew Essien, was full of praise for GIFEC for the training.

He says beneficiaries will be deployed to man 30-centers nationwide.