A group picture of officials from GIFEC and LECERP with some enumerators
The Legon Centre for Education Research and Policy (LECERP) has officially commenced fieldwork for a nationwide Comprehensive Assessment of digital inclusion initiatives implemented by the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC). As part of the exercise, LECERP has trained approximately forty (40) field enumerators to collect data on the effectiveness and reach of GIFEC’s programmes aimed at bridging the digital divide across Ghana.
The four-day training programme, held from 29th July-1st August, 2025, aimed to equip enumerators with skills in ethical data collection, use of Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI), and adherence to strict data quality protocols. The fieldwork will take place from 5th to 29th August 2025, covering selected communities across the country.
Dr. Clement Adamba, Director of LECERP delivering the welcome address
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Clement Adamba, Director of LECERP, expressed his excitement about the partnership with GIFEC. He underscored the Centre’s commitment to quality and professionalism. "At LECERP, we believe that the key to sustaining partnerships lies in the consistent quality of our work," he stated. "The centre may be new, but the individuals in the institution are not. We’ve been doing this work for a long time."
A cross-section of participants at the training conducting Role-play exercise
He encouraged the enumerators to take the training seriously. He noted that the exercise involves programme evaluation—a process that differs significantly from traditional household surveys. "You must understand the project timelines and unique concepts. This is not just another household survey," he emphasized.
Dr. Musah Sulemana, Head of Research at GIFEC
Addressing trainees, Dr. Musah Sulemana, Head of Research at GIFEC, highlighted the purpose and scope of the survey. He stated that the nationwide assessment will encompass all GIFEC-funded programmes, such as Rural Connectivity, Cyber Laboratory, and Digital Skills development, organized within three primary components: Universal Access, Socio-economic Impact, and Institutional and Partnerships Framework. "Our expectation is that the final report will capture all our intervention programmes—our telephony projects, cyber laboratories, and digital skills training initiatives across the country," he said.
Dr. Innocent Agbelie, Research Fellow at LECERP
Dr. Innocent Agbelie, Research Fellow at LECERP, reminded enumerators of the responsibility they carry. "Protecting the integrity of the data and the trust of respondents is key," he said. "The quality of this study depends on how you conduct yourselves on the field. Your professionalism and ethical standards must be impeccable".
Mr. Osman Mohammed Tanko and Mr. Umar Abdul-Wahab, officials from GIFEC
The impact assessment is being funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and would evaluate the extent to which the projects have or are contributing to bridging the digital divide, promoting gender and youth empowerment, ensuring project sustainability, and improving stakeholder engagement. This assessment will also explore how GIFEC’s initiatives have improved access to digital tools for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with a focus on female-led businesses in underserved communities. It seeks to document best practices, identify challenges, and capture the experiences of vulnerable groups, including women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
The successful completion of this assessment is expected to contribute significantly to national digital inclusion strategies and inform future policy directions aimed at equitable access to information and communication technologies.