The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) has begun training over 450 visually impaired individuals from across 13 regions in Ghana in a three-week training program on basic computer usage.
Dubbed “Introduction to Computer Basics for the Visually Impaired (ICBVI),” the initiative aims to equip beneficiaries with digital skills for personal, social, and economic development. The project commenced in November 2023 with trainers being trained. It is implemented in collaboration with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Cisco, with funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and GIFEC.
During a recent visit to assess the progress of the training, GIFEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Prince Ofosu Sefah, noted the importance of providing tools for visually impaired individuals to enhance their independence and quality of life. At the Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind, participants were observed being taught how to type using voice assistant features on laptops.
Mr. Sefah highlighted that beyond extending knowledge to underserved communities, the capacity-building program aims to empower individuals to become self-reliant. Addressing the beneficiaries, he encouraged them to seize the opportunities presented by the training, and adapt to the evolving digital landscape to improve their livelihoods.
During the visit, the GIFEC delegation also stopped at the University of Cape Coast’s Resource Centre for Alternative Media and Assistive Technology. The centre, which received equipment from GIFEC six years ago, expressed the need for additional support due to faulty equipment. Items such as daisy book readers, digital recorders, reading glasses, headsets, and ergonomic keyboards were requested for.