1. CHAMPIONING THE COURSE FOSS IN GHANA
ITS ABOUT TIME:
CHAMPIONING THE COURSE
FOSS IN GHANA

2. AFRICA

3. GHANA

4. INTRODUCTION
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo
Capital : Accra
Area:238,538 sq.km.
Climate: Tropical
Population: 25 million
Density: 88/sq.km
Pop. Growth rate: 1.8%
Main ethnic groups: Akan, Ga-Dangme, Mole-Dagbon, Ewe

5. STATE OF FOSS IN GHANA Usage Windows 84.7% ,Linux 11.9%, Unix OS 3.4%
Windows OS dominating because desktop computers bought came with Windows OS pre-installed.
Other reasons are the ease of use and availability of applications, and technical support.
Yet these are not always legal Windows licenses.

6. CHALLENGES TO FOSS USE IN GHANA
Absence of any FOSS policy in Ghana.
The existing procurement policy does not clearly stipulate terms for procuring software.
The Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) a software is defined as “something you buy a license for” which basically means we do not consider FOSS.

7. CHALLENGES TO FOSS USE IN GHANA
Users still have the perception that FOSS solutions are complex to use.
Another dominant challenge cited in the study is the lack of support for FOSS solutions.
Others include compatibility, too frequent updates and too many OS types.

8. UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 8-1
Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities.
Decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
Encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial service.

9. UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 8 - 2
Achieve higher levels of economic productivity
Improve diversification, technological upgrading and innovation
Bring focus to high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

10. UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 8-3
By 2020, substantially reduce youth unemployment
Increase number of youth in education or training.

11. PROJECT: THE WAY FORWARD FOR FOSS MY ROLE.
To get the public interest through open forums .
Passionate about women empowerment in I.T .
Volunteer at ELiTE GLOBAL.
Also enthusiastic contribute to the un dev goal 8.
To help give marginalized people the access to free software, through training of young brilliant but needy people in society

12. VISION FOR FOSS In the next 4 to 5 years :
Influence public policy related to ICT development in Ghana.
Become an incubation hub for foss (debian,Arduino,android)
A relevant and reliable source in Ghana and Africa for training talented youth.

13. PLAN Identify and encourage young talented but needy youth into foss.
Master foss and provide solutions to companies to migrate to foss.
Link up with other small organisations in foss to create a local network of foss.
Invite resource personell in foss in Ghana and around the world for capacity building and support.
Training and support for SME’s

14. CONCLUSION
Time is now, Ghana get ready for DEBIAN and FOSS assistance.
Time is now to improve lives in my community.
MENSAH NYARKO YAA DUFIE

15. MEDAASE