Holistic ICT for EcoLiving

oneVillage Initiative (OVI) is a human-centered design for whole-system development facilitated by information and communication technologies (ICT).

In the very core and beginning of the process is to build up the knowledge, values and mindsets of the people to form a networked improved communities referenced by the mouse inventor and respected computing scientist, Doug Engelbart.

OVI process and method is first applied in Ghana, in a college town, Winneba where the University of Education of Winneba is located. The strategy of OVI is to engage in human capacity building and to establish global knowledge network. Hence, OVI is best applied where the human capacity development is the focused target of the development goal of a nation or society.

From 2004 to present, we have made the effort in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya. Our operation in Kenya was burned down during the civic turmoil as a result of the election in 2008. We have not yet been able to rebuild the Center in our old way. We are seeking Kenyan and global networks to engage for a new process with the current tools and practices while we contribute to the NETWORKED EFFECT and RESOURCES into empowering people’s life.

In Nigeria, we are currently working on RESEARCH for mobile applications in education and healthcare in Nigeria. We are seeking industry partners to engage in such research for ‘zero time’ collaboration from DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT to DEPLOYMENT.

In Ghana, we have established the Unity Center in Winneba with operations in the areas of TRAINING, CYBER CAFE SERVICES, and RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ON APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGIES IN AFRICA. In April, 2010, through nearly a decade’s investment and knowledge sharing, our Ghana team has established a for-profit social enterprise to extend the ICT4D services to the growing needs in businesses and institutions around the globe. OVI’s approach of ‘teaching people how to help themselves’ has a solid example now that would give others the reason to do the same.