Browsing by Author "Barfi-Adomako, O."

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Academic Computing Unit 2015-2016 Annual Report
(2016-09-16) Barfi-Adomako, O.; Agbodza, H.A.
The Academic Computing Unit (ACU) under the University of Ghana Computing Systems (UGCS) is mandated to design, adapt, promote, and implement industry best practices for e-learning, research support, library systems and institutional repository. It is also expected to monitor academic technology developments and trends at other leading institutions and advise management appropriately. During the year under review, the unit initiated and partnered with other units in UGCS to execute a number of projects. On the University front, the ACU collaborated with the Balme Library and University Archives in the areas of digitization, preservation, institutional repository and records management. The Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID) awarded two (2) grants to the Unit to support its core functions in partnership with the University Archives and Balme Library. The Unit played a key role in the implementation of the University of Ghana Enterprise Content Management and Intranet Portal project which seeks to digitize records and automate the University’s manual workflows. The renovation of the Ghana-Korea Information Access Center which involved the upgrading of IT Equipment and interior decoration was supervised by the staff of ACU. The Unit’s activities for 2015-2016 academic year are presented.
Bridging the Digital Divide through Korea Cooperation: The Case of Ghana-Korea Information Access Centre (iac)
(African and Asian Studies, 2019-03-07) Arko, A.B.; Barfi-Adomako, O.; Kwadzo, G.
The purpose of this paper is review the objectives and functions for which the Ghana-Korea Information Access Center (IAC) was set-up at the University of Ghana, Legon in 2012. This type of facility is one of the very few established in Ghana to bridge the digital divide through Ghana-Korea co-operation. Sharing information on its status and development will throw important light on a key Ghana-Korea Project in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, provide critical guidance for the development of future centres and lay the the basis for exploring possibilities for co-operation in ICT between the the two countries. The paper draws its data from interviews (involving users of the IAC) and documented information on the project. The paper traces the developmental processes (physical, institutional and administrative) for the setting up of the IAC and points up the lessons learnt.
Electronic Support Unit 2011 Annual Report
(2014-06-02) Barfi-Adomako, O.
The Electronic Support Unit (ESU) of the Balme Library continues to play a leading role in the technological development of the Balme Library and the University of Ghana Library System in general. During the year under review it initiated and partnered with other units/departments in the library to execute a number of projects. On the University front, the ESU collaborated with the ICT Directorate and PMISD in the areas of E-Learning (ICTBased Distance Learning) and campus-wide network infrastructure development. This report of the Electronic Support Unit covers the activities of the unit spanning the period January to December 2011. During the period, the unit sought to minimize book theft by installing security cameras and book detection systems at all the major entry and exit points in the library. Digitization as a core component of library was also aggressively pursued. Different types of scanners were installed. Training was provided to ESU and some library staff to operate and maintain the scanners. The Millennium integrated library system (ILS) offers libraries the most complete and continuously evolving solution on the market and we at ESU are delighted to be working on these systems. ESU Staff continue to evaluate the system and carry on to add the appropriate modules to increase the power of the ILS. As a result a few modules were added in the year. A key component of Millennium, Course Reserves was brought on stream by adding and continuous to update the courses. By so doing students are able to search the library catalogue by course codes or instructors/Professor names. Institutional Repository (IR) is one project that witnessed a lot of preparatory work in the year under review. The library hosted two major partners; the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who organized seminars on IR. EZProxy is remote access proxy software that was research upon and became dear to the heart of researchers who reside or who for some reason had to do their work outside the University of Ghana campus. This proxy enabled them to access all the paid –for online resources of the University wherever they are. The second (2nd) floor of the West Wing of the library has been adopted by the National Information Society Agency (NIA) of Korea to establish an Internet Access Centre in the University of Ghana in an attempt to bridge the digital/IT gap between the IT knowledge poor and the rich. The Electronic Support Unit and the ICT Directorate are providing technical support to the contractors and the Korean counterparts on the project. Staff members of the unit benefitted from capacity building training of various kinds by engaging in seminars, local and international training programmes, user group conferences and study tours. Staffs are better equipped to man the unit.
The Establishment and Inauguration of Information Access Center (IAC) in University of Ghana
(2014-04-08) Barfi-Adomako, O.; Kwadzo, G.; Owusu-Oware, E.; Public Affairs Directorate, UG; Public Affairs Directorate, UG
In early 2011, the Republic of Korea made an offer to the University of Ghana to establish an Information Access Center (IAC) under the auspices of Korean Official Development Centre (ODA). The facility is made up of Internet Lounge, Computer Laboratory, Seminar Room and an Administrative Office equipped with computers, LCD projector, printers, video conference equipment and CCTV among others. For the University of Ghana to access this assistance, it was required that: (1) The University provides space with stable power supply, telephone and internet connectivity, security for the IAC equipment and 4 Mbps internet bandwidth through the existing internet infrastructure, and (2) The University should also have the capacity to operate and take full responsibility of the Centre and its equipment when it is established. The ultra-modern facility was inaugurated in April 2012 and it is expected to help raise Information Technology literacy and awareness in Ghana as well as promote cooperation in the field of Information Technology between Ghana and Korea. The Centre was jointly inaugurated by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. John Gyapong, who deputized for the Vice-Chancellor, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Kyun Jaemin, and the Deputy Minister of Communications, Hon. Ernest Attuquaye Armah, at a colourful ceremony at Legon.
Extension of University of Ghana Fibre Optic Backbone to Hostels and Departments under the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Korle-Bu
(2014-03-14) Barfi-Adomako, O.
The extension of University of Ghana Fibre Optic Backbone to Hostels and Departments under the College of Health Sciences, Korle-Bu is part of Phase II of University of Ghana ICT-based Distance Project which seeks to enhance Distance and Continuing education using Information and Communication Technologies. This also involves the University-wide computer and networking upgrade and expansion. The project is being funded by the Chinese Government and Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Education. The University of Ghana Computing Systems (UGCS) is also playing a leading role to enable the University to achieve this object. One of the targets of the project is to bring all the departments under the College of Health Sciences to be connected to the Network Operating Center (NOC) at the CHS Central Administration Block through Vodafone link to University of Ghana main campus and that of NITA backbone terminating at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. This will greatly enhance the efficient use of network resources on the Korle-Bu Campus and the Internet in general.
Installation of ATIZ BookPro Scanner at the College of Health Sciences Library, Korle-bu
(2015-06-15) Barfi-Adomako, O.
Following the supply of one (1) ATIZ Book scanner and accessories to the College of Health Sciences Library , University of Ghana by the Chinese Phase II Project and the subsequent submission of Action Plan for its installation to Management, a report is presented. The book scanner installation has been a success and it is ready to digitize records in the library and documents from other departments in the CHS to ensure that documents are preserved and easily accessible.
Local Preservation of a Global Heritage, International Co-operation and the Digitization of Written and Non-Written Material at the University of Ghana, Legon
(2015-07-08) Barfi-Adomako, O.; Opoku-Boateng, J.
Since the 16th century Africa and in particular today’s Ghana has with an ever increasing speed become entrenched into a global network of intellectual, commercial and technological exchange, whose ambivalent nature also reflects in the very state and nature of the documents, that this history of incorporation has left behind. In this joint presentation an Archivist and Systems Librarian from the University of Ghana will share their experiences during the digitized of historical material with a special emphasis on the amount, prospects and challenges of international co-operation that has been involved in its preservation. While the digitization of rare and hitherto unavailable documents on Dutch economic activities in the Gold Coast is executed by both the Balme Library and the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) with partial funding from the Dutch Embassy; a precious post- and pre-independence collection of traditional music by J. H. Kwabena Nketia who taught as the first major African Musicologist in USA is currently been digitized in a joint effort of Ghanaian and American teams from Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana and New York University’s Audiovisual Preservation Exchange (APEX) under Making African Academic Resources Accessible or MAARA project. The different nature of these historical sources (written and paper-based vs. audiovisual media) finally adds yet another comparative dimension to this lecture: In spite of various overarching similarities each of these collections touches upon the important issue of international cooperation and accessibility of the preserved material in its own peculiar way.
Network Infrastructure to Support Research and Education Network in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2007-01) Barfi-Adomako, O.; Tadayoni, R.; Buron, J.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Engineering, Department of Computer Engineering
This project examines and evaluates the campus-wide networks of five selected universities and two research institutions in Ghana. The nationwide backbone that would be needed to run these networks is also covered. Three of such backbones are identified as VRA Integrated fiber-optic backbone, New National backbone and Ghana Telecom country-wide networks. The Dwivedi and Wagner traffic model provides estimates of traffic demands based on published data on Ghana and selected educational nodes using 2005 as a reference year. Further traffic projections are given from 2005 to 2010 using results from the traffic model. The separation o f the traffic into voice, transaction data and internet traffic shows that, the Internet traffic will constitute about 45%, Voice (50%) and transaction data (5%) of the total traffic demand in Ghana by the end of the period under review. Dimensioning of the traffic using WDM Guru Software gives estimates of network cost and the equipment required to build the network. This enables different network topologies for Research and Education Networks in Ghana to be evaluated under various network protection schemes. The dimension results indicates that a pair of fiber cable would be required to build the backbone when Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) and grooming techniques are deployed in the design of the network. The cost model, ownership options and organization structure suitable for the design and the implementation of the network in Ghana are covered in the report.
Report On a Three-Day Workshop on Digitisation and Institutional Repository at Ghana Korea Information Access Center (IAC), University Of Ghana, Legon 18 – 20th February 2014
(2014-03-17) Barfi-Adomako, O.; Kwadzo, G.
The University of Ghana was established in 1948 and one can imagine the scale of documents and records generated since. The records of students, senior members, principal officers, policies, acts, and minutes of various kinds can be difficult to grasp without proper management. The University of Ghana Library Systems (UGLS), Archives and other Departments and Units are repositories for heritage materials as well as rich local, national and international resources. Without proper organisation and planned preservation, information in these documents cannot be easily accessed and they can be lost due to deterioration. The workshop was sponsored by Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID), University of Ghana, covering the period February 18-20, 2014. The purpose was to sensitise the university community on the digitization and IR projects going on in the university so that all constituents in the university will become aware and buy into it and also participate. Thirty–eight (38) participants from the various departments and units of the university, made up of administrators, IT personnel, hospital staff, archivists, and librarians who have something to do with records and document management were invited to the workshop.
Report on a Three-day Workshop on Records Management, Digitisation, and Institutional Repository (IR)
(2015-07-08) Barfi-Adomako, O.; Kwadzo, G.
A year ago a three-day training workshop on digitization was held. This was to introduce participants to the various aspects of digitization and also to create awareness about the various digitisation initiatives in the University. Participants were excited about the training and recommended that a hands-on workshop be held for them so that they could also contribute to the project. It was based on this recommendation that this second workshop was organized. This second workshop was organized from 8th to 10th April, 2015at the Ghana-Korea Information Access Centre (IAC) in the Balme Library, University of Ghana (UG), Legon.
Report on the visit of the Minister of Communications to Inspect Works at the Health Information Access Center (HIAC) Project at the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Korle -Bu
(2014-05-07) Barfi-Adomako, O.; Aggrey, S. B.
The Ministry of Communications under the e-Ghana project is sponsoring a project at the Collage of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Korle-Bu which seeks to refurbish the existing computer laboratory to support teaching and learning through ICT as well as bringing information access to the door-step of faculty, students, researchers and staff. The contractor working on the project has reached various stages of completion. To acquaint himself with progress of work, the Minister of Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah visited the project site on Monday, 28th April, 2014 at the College Administration at Korle-Bu to meet the management, staff and the contractor. The Health Information Access Center (HIAC) at Korle-Bu Campus when completed will use ICT to support teaching and learning and also encourage the attitude of research and the use of e-resources available on the Internet to improve the quality of health professionals needed to oversee the health needs of our people
Report on Training for Information Access Center (IAC ) Operators, November 6th – 16th, 2011 in Seoul, Republic of Korea
(2014-03-31) Barfi-Adomako, O.; Kwadzo, G.; Owusu-Oware, E.
A ten day IT program was organized for twelve participants, three each from Ghana, Nepal, Panama and Ukraine from the 6th – 16th November 2011 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The program was organised by the National Information Agency (NIA) with the objective of equipping operators of Information Access Centers (IACs) to manage and operate these centers in their countries in line with the ideals of the Korean experience. These centers are supposed to be opened to the public where the community can access the Internet, free of charge and also train people to become IT literates in order to bridge the digital gap between the rich and the poor, between the rural and the urban societies. Lectures were delivered on various IT related topics by seasoned experts in the field. Topics covered include planning and management of IT curriculum, e-learning contents, networking information, and security of the infrastructural systems. Some equipment and facilities for video conferencing and software for creating e-learning contents, and basic computers that IACs need to have were promoted. Some policy issues and strategies to adopt to enhance IT literacy were shared based on the experiences of Korea so that participants would also learn from the experiences. Business tours were organised to institutions such as the Konkuk University, Seoul Data Center, and Seohwa Information Network Village to observe their IT infrastructure and systems and to help participants to understand the contents of the lectures. IT related companies such as AhnLab and LG CNS were also visited to understand their IT security services, operations and security products that they provide to support the IT infrastructure of Korea and to enhance the informatisation of the Korean society. The training was successful and an eye opener in equipping participants to manage their IACs. It however calls for hard work, commitment, and cooperation especially from the host institution’s administration to achieve success.
Status of IT Infrastructure and Services at College of Health Sciences University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus
(2014-06-02) Barfi-Adomako, O.; Aggrey, S. B.
As part of restructuring of University of Ghana ICT system, Mr. Barfi-Adomako Owusu was temporal transferred to the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Campus to reorganize the IT systems to conform to the new created University of Ghana Computing Systems (UGCS). UGCS is a merger of all the previous ICT related department and units in the University, including the ICT Directorate (ICTD), the Planning and Management Information System Directorate (PMIS) and the Electronic Support Unit (ESU).. This merger was initially recommended by the Visitation Panel Report upon which a number of other restructuring exercises in the University are based. The Korle-Bu Campus of College of Health Sciences (CHS) has three constituents of the College in addition to the College Central Administration. These constituents are the Medical School (UGMS), Dental School (UGDS) and the School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS). It is only the Dental School, which is housed in two buildings close to each other. The UGMS and SAHS are scattered all over the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital compound with some departments in the hospital wards etc. SAHS has recently relocated some of its offices to the student hostel and the ground floor of the CHS Administrative Block. The College Library has taken up all issues related to ICT for the College and continues to do so. The Computer Assisted Learning Centre (CALC) which is a unit in the library, headed by an Assistant Librarian (Senior Member) with six other staff and national service personnel handle all ICT issues.