In line with GIFTEL’s mandate to make operational Community Information Centres (CIC) across the country, a CIC at Apam in the Gomoa West District was completed and commissioned by the Minister of Communications on the 25th of September 2008.
With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), GIFTEL equipped the Apam CIC with 15 computers, a local area network (LAN), a fax machine, a flatbed scanner, a printers, a server and other accessories at a total cost of GH¢51,500.00.

The Minister for Communications, Dr Benjamin Aggrey Ntim, spoke in depth about the Government of Ghana’s (GoG) plan to make Ghana a part of the new economic revolution which has been spurred by advances in economic productivity through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). GIFTEL, which is at the helm of the CIC initiative, plans to connect the entire country to the Internet through the judicious use of the HIPC funds and the financial and technical assistance of UNDP.
The Minister also made it clear that the CIC initiative is just part of a master plan to incorporate other ICT innovations in order to link all parts of the country to the rest of the world. Such innovations include the Presidential Special Initiative (PSI) for distant learning, for Junior High School pupils in the District. Minister went on to invite all school authorities to ensure that their pupils make good use of the facility, since it is the cherished wish of Government that the era of poor examinations results for rural schools become history.

“Ghana’s ICT for Accelerated Development Policy, supported by UNDP and other development Partners, is entirely for the deployment and spread of ICTs in the Community as a way to improve the economic base and further accelerate growth and development towards transforming Ghana into a knowledge based and information society.”
Dr Aggrey Ntim noted that within the broad framework of the Millennium Development Goals, ICT is being deployed as a tool for poverty reduction and as a tool to improve access to and quality of education in the rural areas, to contribute to women’s empowerment through training and provision of small-scale business information; to provide communication to rural areas and to improve governance and inclusiveness at the local level.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), for Gomoa West, Hon Joyce Aidoo added to The Ministers statement by emphasizing the important of Ghana becoming a part of the global ICT village.
Most importantly, Hon Joyce Aidoo promised to ensure that a percentage of the common fund would be used to ensure the day to day running and ensure the maintenance of the facility.

The Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, Hon Joe Hackman, said the establishment of the CIC would promote effective education, and called on students to spend at least, two hours per week at the center, to add to their general knowledge.

An eleven (11) member Steering Committee was sworn in by the Hon Minister, who admonished them to ensure that the facility is taken good care of, so that its benefits can be extended to future generations.
The CIC has a four member management team, namely, Mr Eric Akobeng, District Budget Officer, Ms Comfort Morgan, District Information Officer, Mr Ishmael Owusu, District Finance Officer and Mr Alfred Amoah, Centre Manager.