The enthusiasm that greeted the first phase of the One Laptop Per Household has been taken a step further, this time around, by the provision of one year free internet connectivity for beneficiaries of the project. The juicy second phase of the project would also include the supply of free pendrives, laptop bags and other fringe benefits for clients under the project. INTU-IT GH LTD, managers of the One Laptop per Household project is optimistic that under the enhanced second phase of the One Laptop Per Household project, it would reach its target of supplying affordable laptop computers and solutions to about 150,000 homes in Ghana, in the next five years. The second phase which involves the partnership and collaboration of Credit Moll, Life Gate, MTN and INTU-IT GH LTD will supply affordable computers on credit up to 36 months for all category of individuals especially workers on Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) pay roll without delays, especially when this phase is being operated on a well built client database reference system. It will take at least two-four working days for clients on Controller and Accountant General’s Department pay roll to receive their laptops and other accessories. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of INTU-IT Ghana Limited, Mr. Bryan Acheampong said the bottlenecks that characterized the first phase of the project leading to delays in processing and supplies of computers to teachers and other customers have been ironed out and gave the assurance that the second phase would be devoid of those hold ups and delays. According to the CEO, there had never been an opportunity like this for Ghanaians to own laptops at affordable prices under flexible terms of payment too. Mr. Acheampong emphasized that it was therefore important for Ghanaians to take advantage of the project to own computers in order to enhance their ways of doing things at both their homes and work places. The CEO indicated that the project was unique in the sense that, the prices at which the laptops were being given out and the flexible terms of payment offered in addition to other peripheral benefits like the free one year internet, could not be found and matched anywhere in the country. The capacity of the company to do nationwide supplies without any hindrance and hitches has been boosted under the enhanced second phase of the One Laptop Per Household project by the collaboration and partnership of the other companies. To ensure the success and efficient implementation of the second phase, designated shops and outlets for clients to pick up their laptops would be opened very shortly and the Regional Offices across the country have been strengthened and capacitated this time around to do prompt processing of applications and delivery of products to clients. The enhanced second phase of the One Laptop Per Household project is targeting individuals and organizations both in the private and public sector, especially workers in the Ministries, Department and Agencies of the state. Worker category like; Doctors, nurses, midwives, teachers, the police, military, prisons, fire services, NCCE, Electoral Commission and other para-statal agencies are encouraged to take advantage of the project to own laptops for their homes. Labour unions of organizations are also encouraged to take advantage of the enhanced second phase of the One Laptop Per Household project buy computers for their members at discounted rates. Parents are also encouraged to exploit the project by acquiring laptops for their wards in school to enhance their knowledge and creativity in ICT. Research has shown that, putting computers in the hands of underserved populations has brought socio-economic dividends like, accelerated digital inclusion, enhanced service delivery, e-citizens enabling smooth takeoff of e-government projects and add fillip to strategic areas like health, education and research and development. The youth being adaptable, creative and innovative stand the best to benefit from the rapid development of ICT, especially the facility of INTU-IT GH. The internet, perhaps the most used form of ICT by youth, offers a source for youth interaction through chat rooms, social websites and forums. Awareness and increase in the dissemination of youth priorities such as access to education, poverty reduction, HIV/AIDs, employment etc has been made possible through the use of these modern technologies. Although so much good comes out of their use, disparities still are present when it comes to distribution of ICT. For example 331 per 1000 people in Europe use the internet while approximately 15 per 1000 in south Asia and sub Saharan Africa, 37 per 1000 in the Middle East and Africa and 92 per 1000 in Latin America and the Caribbean use the internet. Though, statistics are not readily available on the usage of internet in Ghana, one can not be wrong by painting a gloomy picture in terms of figures from the usage of internet on sub-Saharan Africa, which Ghana is inclusive. It is against this backdrop that INTU-IT GH. is giving the free one year internet connectivity to enhance development, promote social action and community development among the youth, through “cyber-participation” or “e-citizenship” Today, information and communication technologies and new media are becoming core components of youth civic engagement and activism. The project, which relies on financial incentives such as the provision of easy, secure and or favorable financing terms, lower than market costs and government exemptions, would also provide affordable combination of durable hardware and relevant software applications. Countries like, Malaysia, Guatemala, Tunisia, Egypt and Singapore have used incentives to progress the uptake of computers and internet penetration and use amongst it citizens especially the rural communities. Most of the country’s development problems to me stems from the fact that, we are unable to use ICT effectively. For instance the much talked about corruption in the public sector can be reduced or eliminated through the use of ICT to track processes as well as hasten the way we do government business and business in general. INTU-IT GHANA is expecting that in the next five years a lot of talents and creativity would be unearthed among Ghanaians, especially younger people in the area of ICT. It is also expected that by the end of the next five years, the project would change the culture of resistance to technology by some Ghanaians, demystify the mystery surrounding the wonders ICT can do to our economy in terms of reducing poverty, unemployment, hunger and disease in Ghana, as well as create e-Ghanaians to take Ghana’s developmental agenda to the next level. Abdulai Abdul-Rahaman INTU-IT GH. LTD arahaman@intu-itghana.com/intuitaccra@yahoo.com 0246605449