The big opening: ICT Trainings Centre

Since over 10 years AIM Germany and AIM Ghana are working for this day, the 9th of september finally was the big day. The commission oft the AIM Community ICT Centre in Komenda took place. Important people like the deputy of the German Embassy, of the GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit/Society for international cooperation), Goethe Institute, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung as well as the Chiefs of the KEEA district were part of it. Even Jörn and Janna, the two board members of AIM Germany came over from Freiburg, Germany. Speeches about the role of ICT in educational development in Ghana where held, there was a guided tour through the centre, food, drinks, dances and some rhythmical drumming music by the Culture Group. We, the new volunteers who had just arrived a few days before, took part at the celebration, taking photos, filming, talking to guests and trying to dance to the Ghanaian Highlife-Music.

We were also part at the preparation for the opening celebration, collecting rubbish, cleaning, preparing the decoration and at the same time we learned a lot about time in Ghana. When we were about 5 minutes too late we nearly wanted to call. And in the end we were still the first to be at the meeting point. And also during the work there is always plenty of time for breaks – which is a good idea anyway concerning the heat here in Komenda. Unfortunately heat and sunshine were missing on the day of commission and it started raining heavily in the morning. So the event was moved from outside into the training centre and within the last minutes the whole decoration, chairs, tables etc. was changed. And when the first guests arrived we were still busy with cleaning and getting everything ready. But as the Ghanaians keep their calmness in such situation in the end the Trainings Centre was opened successfully. And for us volunteers it was the perfect reason to wear our first Ghanaian, colourful dresses!