Location: Winneba, Ghana

Project Pillar: All

Project cost:

Project Status: Early stage implementation.

In Jan 07, we secured the space that is now the Winneba Open Digital Village. In February renovations were completed. Since then, a series of ICT training sessions have been organized. This included the 10 day Simpa Open Summits Wireless Workshop (08.01-08.10.07). Outcomes of this training, included 25 ICT practitioners receiving a basic understanding of wireless. The event also resulted in the further set up the Winneba Wireless Network.

Through the year, a wireless network has been developed to the point where the Winneba Wireless Network is now one of the largest wireless networks in the region.

On 09.28.07, the (WODiV) organized a special event to announce a new project with the University of Education. This project, the Content Development Initiative (CDI) is a sub-component of WODiV and will promote the development of ICT training tools and knowledge set relevant to the digital development of the local Winneba region as well as the greater Ghana region of West Africa.

Needs: Current needs include the purchase of 10 thin client computers, a server and support equipment, which we estimate will total out to approx. $4,000 USD for the first quarter of 08.

Additional staff are also needed to operate the center in 2008.

We accept financial contributions as well as in-kind donations to expand the scope of this project tin Ghana.

Support Project

Documentation:

	Open Digital Village Website
	Content Development Initiative Documentation (1p PDF)

Highlights of WODiV Program

11.30.06 - OVF Director Kafui Prebbie installing the first WODiV Wireless Network antenna.

WODiV receives get facelift with new paint on the outside of the Center.

09.28.07 - Local Winneba VIPs at official WODiV & Content Development Initiative launch.

Description/Background: The Winneba Open Digital Village (WODiV) is the first of its kind Open Digital Village. The oneVillage Initiative approach is a multi-stage development process the first of which includes a mapping out of local assets. Then data is collected, analyzed and then discussed with the community. As a complementary part of this process, low cost internet access and computer training to the community is provided.

This facility will foster connections with the existing ICT programs at the University the University of Education Winneba, Ghana (UEW), while building on existing and past OVF efforts (see Accomplishments page). As a social enterprise with an educational and research focus, WODiV will take advantage of the emerging market for ICT services in Winneba with a focus on the local University (UEW).

To complement this, a rural oriented ICT project is planned to connect the entire region with wireless technologies. This will include connecting with the community of Jukwa where the second focus project of OVF Ghana is located. What is being planned will promote R&D in sustainable agriculture. These centers will enable us to roll our existing programs together to develop a more integrated approach to development as described at the oneVillage Initiative page.

Vision/Theme: African youth are demanding a voice in society and are using information and communication technologies to empower themselves. Building on the momentum of similar and previous efforts, we believe the key to addressing the African conundrum is through community scale development strategies. Open Digital Villages (ODiVs) will promote better ways of living and give the underprivileged the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.

Concept: ODiV Multi-purpose Centers facilitate effective ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) augmented sustainable development programs (Holistic ICT for EcoLiving). WODiV focuses on an integrated human network oriented approach that refines techniques and processes for effective deployment. This includes evaluating technologies and approaches for their usability, applicability and performance in relation to the Greater Ghana region as consistent with OVF vision and mission. We aim to do this through the effective integration of web 2.0 tools such as wikis, blogs and social networking platforms. Such a process maximizes the potential of technology for local use and makes sure that any large scale technology roll outs are appropriate to local needs.

Methodology: One Village Foundation Initiative (OVI) is an Assets Based development model (ABCD) that identifies local needs and designs systems that address those needs. OVI evolves this process by developing a highly integrated development model that promotes local self-reliance, while also increasing competitiveness within the global economy. This includes a Holistic ICT for Development model that designs the relevant ICT infrastructure to enable this process.

Financial Sustainability: Center will be sustainable though the development of income generating social enterprises that deliver useful ICT services to the community increasing the regions economic productivity and competitiveness within the global economy. In the future, a Micro-finance Program will be developed that includes a sustainable business incubation center.