IBM supports ECG, others
An international team of IBM experts last Thursday presented its findings and recommendations on how to transform a number of leading Ghanaian organisations.
Among the recommendations were those made to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) that has the potential to transform electricity service delivery in the country.
At the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) IBM consultants proposed an IT Governance Model to help standardise IT systems and ensure consistency in management.
The consultants assisted ECG with the design of a pilot process for the effective management of incidents such as power cuts and equipment failure, while also helping to implement a pilot IT Help Desk to provide technical support to ECG staff.
“In just under a month, the IBM consultants enabled ECG accomplish what would have taken us possibly a year to do. These systems will enable us to deliver more cost-effective and efficient services to our customers,” said Julius Kpekpena, Director of Engineering, ECG.
The IBM team of 11 experts from 8 countries arrived in Ghana in February for the one-month project, under the company’s Corporate Service Corps initiative. During that time the consultants worked on a pro bono basis with the ECG, the Tema Technical Institute, and the SOS Children's Village. The projects were tailored to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the three institutions by utilising the latest technologies and business processes.
“IBM Ghana is proud to host the 100th team of the Corporate Service Corps initiative.
IBM is committed to supporting the public sector in Ghana to leverage advanced technologies and processes to transform the delivery of services in the country,” said Joe Mensah, Country General Manager, IBM Ghana.
The Corporate Service Corps is a global IBM initiative designed to provide small businesses, educational institutions and non-profit organisations in growth markets with sophisticated business consulting and skills development to help improve local conditions and foster job-creation.
IBM deploys teams of top employees from around the world representing IT, research, marketing, finance, and business development to growth markets for a period of one month. The employees work pro bono with local organisations and businesses on projects that intersect business, technology and society.
Another team of IBM consultants, working with the SOS Children’s Village, developed a website to enable the college to interact better with current and prospective students, alumni, parents, teachers and members of the public.
The SOS teaching and administrative staff was also trained in website management and the development of an e-learning platform
At the Tema Technical Institute, IBM consultants helped to increase the effectiveness of the institute’s; software and implemented a system for maintaining student and staff information.
The team constructed a website to increase visibility amongst the national and international audiences.
IBM consultants developed an e-catalogue system for quick access to administrative files and an automatic system for generating audit reports for the institute's accounts department.
“IBM’s recommendations will enhance the visibility of technical courses in Ghana and increase job prospects for our graduates,” said Abraham Narh-Saam, Assistant Director of the Tema Technical Institute.
"Through IBM’s Corporate Service Corps initiative, these three organisations have gained tremendous knowledge which will translate into improved and more efficient services. We believe that through this programme IBM is making an impact in sectors key to economic and social development,” said Barbara Gbologah-Quayle from CDC Development Solutions, the Washington-based Organisation that IBM has partnered with for this initiative in West Africa.
Source: http://www.thebftonline.com/bft_subcat_linkdetails.cfm?prodcatID=6&tblNewsCatID=11&tblNewsID=7690