Leading Global ICT Company Huawei has donated 200 Huawei smartphones to support the digitalisation of some rural communities benefiting from the Rural Telephony Project.

The project seeks to bring connectivity to over four million Ghanaians in underserved and unserved communities in Ghana.

This is done by using the innovative RuralStar Solution jointly developed by Huawei and Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation.

The donation, which took place at Bonuama in the Amenfi Central District and Mile 3 in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipal District in the Western and Wester North Regions respectively, formed part of activities to inaugurate Rural Telephony Project sites in these communities by the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

In her remarks, the Communications Minister acknowledged the benefits of network connectivity, hence the need to increase and improve infrastructure.

“I know the benefits of network connectivity as it seeks to improve the digital economy through the digital infrastructure. My Ministry is leaving no community behind, and government is committed to investing in this regard.” 

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful also challenged the community to take full advantage of their newly-found connectivity to change their lives.

“The benefits of connectivity to your community goes beyond students using it to advance their knowledge, take advantage of services like Mobile Money, eCommerce among others to explore new business opportunities as well as boost your existing businesses,” she added.

The Minister expressed her gratitude to Huawei for the company’s contributions and to Ghana’s digitalisation drive and commended the ICT giants for their donation to the communities.

Speaking on the rationale behind the donation, the Enterprise director at Huawei Ghana, Brian Wu, lamented that as a responsible corporate citizen, Huawei is committed to improving connectivity with innovative technologies that are designed and customized to suit the needs of the people. 

At Huawei, we believe bridging the digital divide is a key challenge for us and we do support and promote initiatives that help deliver access to communications for disadvantaged communities.

“Today, one can have the whole world in their hands and with just a tap of your smartphone, you can unlock a world of endless possibilities and opportunities. We are bringing the world to you today to enable you to unlock the full potentials and benefits of digitalization.

"Smartphones are transforming the way we live and do business and I implore all beneficiaries to explore these opportunities to the fullest. Embrace all government services and interventions with your smartphones and realize the full benefit of connectivity,” he added.

The newly-appointed Administrator for GIFEC, Prince Sefah, said: “the phase one of the Rural Telephony Project involves constructing 2016 telecom sites to provide voice and 3G data connectivity to about three million Ghanaians in unserved and underserved communities, while the Phases two of the project, which is at the planning stages will seek to plug in any remaining gaps and upgrade sites to 4G”.

Huawei also donated 200 School Bags and 200 Pen cases to supports pupils in the community to enhance educational activities for the beneficiaries.