Omatek partners government to
launch E-xpress Scheme
Accra, Sept. 27, Ghanadot/GNA – Omatek Computers
Ghana in partnership with government has launched
its e-xpress consumer initiative to make computer
acquisition easy and affordable.
Under the scheme, civil servants, corporate
executives, organisations, educational institution
and students would be able to acquire computers
within 12 to 24 months through a structured payment
plan with partnering banks.
The initiative forms part of government’s i-ADVANCE
project, which is a government assisted purchase
programme, launched in August 2006.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Benjamin Aggrey-Ntim,
Minister of Communications, said Omatek’s
partnership with government was in the right
direction as it would help increase the number of
computers available to individuals.
Since its launch two years ago, the i-ADVANCE
project has helped to make available over 21,000
computers, both desktops and laptops.
Dr Aggrey-Ntim said “It is our hope that the
partnership with Omatek will help multiply several
times the number of computers available to students,
civil servants and public institutions,” he said.
He said the initiative would impact positively on
education, job creation and employment, which were
necessary for accelerating the country’s
development.
Mrs Florence Seriki, Group Managing Director, Omatek
Ventures, said although the scheme was private
sector driven, government’s support had given a new
meaning and momentum to the scheme.
She appealed to government to take a second look at
duties charged on importation of information
technology equipment and materials, especially
completely knocked down components, to make the cost
of computers low and affordable to the end users.
Mrs Seriki said a reduction in Value Added Tax
charged on IT consumables will also encouraged more
investments into the sector.
She urged government to do more for the sector by
policy pronouncements that would encourage state
institutions to patronise locally assembled
computers.
Mrs Seriki expressed the hope that the collaboration
between Omatek e-xpress scheme and i-advance would
help to bridge the digital divide and enhance IT
penetration in the country.
In a related development, Omatek also launched its
8in and 10in Smartbooks positioned for the
educational sector.
Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Education,
Science and Sports, lauded Omatek for the effort and
said it would go a long way to revolutionalise the
educational sector.
The event also marked the official unveiling of the
new Omatek brand identity.
Omatek is the first completely knock down factory in
Africa to produce computer casings, speakers,
desktops and notebooks.
GNA
