Samsung launches Digital Village in Volta Region, Ghana

The Digital Village features a solar powered Internet School that can accommodate up to 24 learners and a solar powered Tele-Medical Centre.

Additionally a solar power system will service as an Admin Centre to be used as office space for local entrepreneurs and other school or community centre personnel in the area with limited electricity supply. The project will benefit more than ten neighbouring communities in the region.

Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Education who graced the launch, expressed his gratitude to the company for its support to the community. The project which has been ongoing in some African countries, forms part of Samsung's Citizenship Programme, aimed at improving healthcare delivery and education in countries which they operate in.

"In addition to providing the appropriate technologies, we are also working to ensure that the Volo community takes ownership of the digital village and receive adequate training to optimise use of the facilities," a statement from Samsung said.

Samsung says its Digital Village model helps overcome one of Africa's biggest economic challenges - electrification. Less than a quarter of rural areas on the African continent have access to reliable electricity, which isolates communities in terms of education, healthcare and connectivity.

Samsung's Solar-Powered Mobile Internet Schools initiative aims to reach 500,000 learners and the program has been rolled out in other countries, including Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

Samsung says it is working with the Volo community to ensure they receive adequate training to make the most of the facility. The company partnered with various organisations including UNESCO to set up the project.

The facility is expected to bridge the digital divide by providing the community with access to information and communication technology and also serve as a catalyst for local business development and government service delivery.