Every CLC Launch is a Party
CLC launches are major events in Ghana. Accompanied by music, drama and dance, the first CLC opened its doors in Kumasi in October 1998. The celebra-tion was attended by 150 people, including academics, students, business people, local dignitaries, USAID mission representatives and community leaders. Print and electronic media covered the event, and a group of children aged 8 to 11 demonstrated software packages and equipment such as networked multimedia computers with full Internet access. The launch was supported by the entire community, with a local oil company donating fuel to transport staff and equipment, an interior designer decorating the grounds, and radio stations giving free CEDEP air time to host interviews and air announcements designed to introduce the public to the CLC. Special guests included a representative of the Asantehene of Ashanti King as Chair of the occasion and representatives of the Ministries of Education and Communication. The Queen mother of Mampong Kronko, Nana Aboagyewaa Kente, cut the ceremonial tape to the CLC facility. Stressing Ghana’s entry into the computer age, the Ministry of Education representative urged students to make good use of the facilities to enhance their performance in school and to learn about computers and the Internet.

Promises and Perspectives
While some Ghanaians are starting to realize the potential benefits of IECTs, they remain realistic about their expectations as well, especially given the challenges they face. They are struggling to ensure the sustainability of their public access CLCs while striving, at the same time, to overcome obstacles such as illiteracy, a sense of mystery and phobia about computers, low female participation, the absence of electricity and telecommuni-cation facilities in parts of the country, and high prices and fees for IECT equipment and services.