Home of care and Protection (HOCAP) in collaboration with the Westminister Presbyterian Church (WPC) in Albany USA officially opened an ICT Centre in Topko, a community located in Shai-Osudoku in the Greater Accra, Ghana on Sunday 13th October, 2024.
On July 27th, 2024, the elders of Tokpo met with the HOCAP team led by Rev. Mrs. Barbara Asempa, the director for HOCAP a for meeting. In the process of discussions in the meeting, the elders expressed the urgent need for an ICT center to serve the community and neighboring towns. They explained that the lack of computers in the area limited students to theoretical ICT lessons and forced residents to travel long distances for printing services.
In response to the crisis, the HOCAP team, in collaboration with the WPC stepped in to provide assistance by establishing the ICT centre and equipping them with twelve computers. This will enable the students from the various schools in the community and its neighboring communities to have access to practical ICT skills. This is a significant improvement, as local schools had previously been limited to teaching ICT theory due to lack of computer facilities.
Pastor Heather Kirk-Davidoff from the WPC was present at the opening ceremony. She encouraged the children to embrace the opportunity to learn ICT, emphasizing its potential to improve their future prospects. The event was also attended by Madam Shernette Grant, Madam Kathryn Shaffar, and Madam Berlinda Quaye, all from WPC, who visited the community to show their support. Rev. Mrs Barbara Asempa and her team were present to grace the occasion.
This development comes as a much-needed relief for residents who were severely affected by the Akosombo spillage in October 2023. The spillage caused massive damage in the surrounding communities, including Tokpo and Lahuenya, destroying homes, properties, and livelihoods. The primary occupations of the people; farming and fishing were particularly affected by the disaster.
The community members expressed their gratitude for the support they have received from HOCAP and the WPC through merry-making (Drumming, Singing and Dancing).
The ICT center positions the youth in Tokpo and its neighboring towns by equipping them with valuable skills in ICT that could lead to new career opportunities and a more prosperous future.
