Message-ID: <852565BE.006D275B.00@WBLN0014.worldbank.org> Date: Thu, 5 Mar 1998 14:54:57 -0500 From: Aaron Hirsch <mailto:Ahirsch@WORLDBANK.ORG> Subject: Ghana: Computer Training and Internet Issues To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
(436.3 7-23-1997)) id 852565BE.006DD9B3 ; Thu, 05 Mar 1998 14:59:51 -0500 X-Lotus-FromDomain: WORLDBANKDear List Colleagues,
This boilerplate on Ghana results from my conversations with Tod Bruning while he visited Washington, DC a few weekends ago. I hope this provides an interesting case history for people interested in anecdotes about Community Information Centers and related initiatives. I verified this information with Tod and I submit this to you as my opinion. This does not represent the views of the World Bank or infoDev. Your comments and questions are most welcome.
Aaron Hirsch
Computer Training and Internet Access Issues in Wa, Upper West Province, Ghana
In 1996 a small computer training center with three computers and a modem with Internet access was established in Wa, Ghana. The principal project implementor is Tod Bruning. Mr. Bruning is a volunteer with the Peace Corps of the United States, and is co-sponsored by the Upper West Commerce Association of Wa (UWCA).
Infrastructure/Context: Wa is a rural town in the poor Upper West province of Ghana with a population of approximately 80,000. Electricity is usually available for in much of the city for most of the day, but has been on ration since the beginning of 1998. Wa also has a brand new digital telecommunications network extending as far as Tamale (which continues analog to Accra). There are an increasing number of personal computers in Wa: approximately 50 presently, up from 10 one year ago. As for transportation: Wa is a 17-hour bus ride from Accra on poor roads. Although regular commercial flights are planned, none serve Wa, however air taxi service is available from Accra.
Program: Mr. Bruning saw a niche for computer skills training in Wa. Through a Peace Corps administered, AID-funded Small Project Assistance (SPA) grant, he got three computers - one with a modem. (a total cost of $5,000 plus $66 for rent and utilities* - telecommunications charges are separate), and a new dry board purchased from revenues generated by the classes. The UWCA's membership supplies classroom space. Mr. Bruning developed a curriculum for teaching the basics for Windows and the Microsoft Office Suite to people with no prior experience. Two of the following three are required to be eligible to take the course: an ability to understand the instructor's American English, know how to type, and have access to a computer. Mr. Bruning trains 4 students at a time with 2 students per computer. He chooses to put 2 students on each computer because he finds that they are able to help each other learn. He teaches up to five 1-hour classes per day in the afternoons, power permitting, and holds regular office hours in the mornings to answer questions and conduct business. 9 students have graduated from his program all of which immediately found jobs. They work for Ashanti Goldfields, the Upper West Land's Commission, The Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, NGOs, and other organizations. Students are granted a certificate of completion when they are able to pass the final exam. Some people learn more quickly than others, however the average time it takes for students to graduate in anywhere ranges from 1.5 to 6 months. The average graduate can hope to double their salary to $7.50/day, however Mr. Bruning believes demand could support salaries of up to $15.00/day. Students pay an $8.33 registration fee and $0.42 per hour of instruction. Most students spend approximately $50.00 for the entire course; students who take longer pay more. Mr. Bruning notes that commercial training courses in Accra charge $8.33 per hour of instruction, so it appears that there is a subsidy for the Wa students. Indeed, Mr. Bruning does subsidize individual study by doing special corporate training courses where he charges $2.50 per hour of instruction per student.
Wa and Internet: Mr. Bruning asserts that there is very limited demand for the Internet in Wa. This is because there is a lack of knowledge about the Internet, what it can do for people, and the fact that it is prohibitively expensive for long distance time and access from existing ISPs, all of which are located in Accra, 600 kilometers (400 miles) away. For this reason, the Internet hasn't been integrated into the curriculum and is not a part of the core business of the center. However, Mr. Bruning is working on involving local women weavers groups in marketing products over the Internet through the PEOPLink craft marketing NGO (on the Web see http://www.peoplink.org). He is also building awareness among other local businessmen involved in cashew and shea nut production about how the Internet can work for them. Interest in the Internet is increasing. Mr. Bruning does provide some high-value data transfer services for a local NGO, and sells a limited amount of e-mail and Internet access to customers who are able to pay the high fees. While the Internet Service Provider (ISP) charges a competitive $30/month, the only Internet access numbers are in Accra. The connection charge to Accra is $0.33 and the per-minute charge is $0.12 ($7.50/hour). Line quality is poor beyond Tamale, commonly transmitting at 9600 baud. It takes on average 5 attempts to connect successfully to the ISP (which drives up the average initial connection charge to $1.67). Additionally, line drops are frequent, which can present a serious financial problem. For example, if one is 90% finished with a 30-minute download and the line cuts off, there is a loss of $5.47 - equivalent to 11 hours of instruction. 50% of the training center's budget is spent on telecommunications fees. However, the situation may improve. Soon there may be an ISP located in Tamale with a satellite up-link to international trunk lines. This will dramatically increase speed, reliability, and reduce connection charges by two-thirds. The ideal situation will be when there is an ISP dial-up "virtual" connection in Wa itself which would dramatically reduce charges. Mr. Bruning estimates that a commercial ISP will establish a presence in Wa when there are between 35 and 50 users in Wa demanding the service.
Sustainability Issue: One of the most important issues for the center will be how to sustain the operation once Mr. Bruning is gone. Mr. Bruning has requested that another Peace Corps Volunteer be sent to take his place when he leaves next year. The major problem for the center is that it generates approximately $2,000 in revenue per year, however to hire a Ghanaian with the same management and training skills as Mr. Bruning, it would cost $500 per month (however this number could be significantly lower - this issue has yet to be resolved). Long-term sustainability might mean expanding the size of the center, increasing training prices for coroporate and individual customers, and providing larger classes. The promise of growing interest in computing and the Internet in Wa also bodes well for the center, as it services will find an increasing demand.
*US-Ghana Currency Exchange Rate as of February 25, 1998: 1 US Dollar = approximately 2400 Cedi
For more infomation on the Wa project contact Tod Bruning: mailto:uwca@ighmail.com For more information on Community Information Centers contact Aaron Hirsch: mailto:ahirsch@worldbank.org
Aaron Hirsch and Tod Bruning February 25, 1998
========================================================== Aaron Hirsch infoDev Research Assistant, The World Bank F3K-268, 1818 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20433 USA Telephone: 202-473-1836 Fax: 202-522-3186 or 202-522-3001 E-mail: mailto:ahirsch@worldbank.org Web: http://www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/infodev