In 2001, IICD observed that there was little knowledge sharing going on between the various IICD funded projects in Ghana and thought the projects could improve in quality from enhanced knowledge sharing. Based on IICD’s Information Network Partner strategy, in June 2001 a meeting with local partners led to the formulation of a Terms of Reference between IICD and KAD, a consultancy company run by Korantema Adi-Dako to start activities with the following objectives:
- To share information, experiences, knowledge and lessons learned on ICT for development in Ghana
- Enhance cooperation between private sector, government organisations and NGOs
- Avoid duplication of efforts
AITEC, through its employee Kwami Ahiabenu became involved as well and some of the activities like the production of a newsletter on ICT for development, “iconnect”, then started. By the end 2002, IICD brought up the idea of knowledge sharing by means of networking.
This idea brought people together in the ‘Akosombo retreat’ in December 2002. The participants in this meeting were partners from IICD projects, NGOs, profit organisations, academia, consultancy, IT-specialists, media, politicians (the deputy Minister of communication) and one foreigner living in Ghana (Mark Davies, the CEO of a large internet facility in Accra), all interested and active in the field of ICT4dev. The main outcome of the retreat was the definition of the vision and mission and values for a network and the development of a framework for activities. The meeting also decided that most of the group would continue as board members of the network (a group of 15).
The formulated mission was:
- To provide information and knowledge that will facilitate capacity building for ICTs products and services
- To create, identify, synthesize and disseminate information and knowledge on ICTs and development
- To promote the use of ICTs throughout the country.
It target group was defined widely as the interested stakeholders in Ghana.
In 2003, IICD started to officially fund the activities of GINKS according to a signed agreement. The first coordinator was recruited by the board and a small office was set-up for the coordinator in the premises of AITEC. The coordinator’s role was to implement the activity plan as formulated by the GINKS board. A formal launch of the GINKS network took place in October 2003.