As a response to COVID-19, BLUETOWN has provided free data-access to all users on their local cloud platform in Ghana to view informational COVID-19 videos from the WHO. The local cloud platform, which BLUETOWN worked on in UNDP's SDG Accelerator for SMEs, will allow BLUETOWN users in Ghana to access health information on the coronavirus pandemic as well as the Ghanaian president’s address to the nation regarding the outbreak. We are very proud to have BLUETOWN as a participating company in the SDG Accelerator for SMEs.

COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). UNDP, including through partnerships with private sector in the SDG Accelerator for SMEs, is working across the globe in supporting countries to set up a multisectoral whole-of-society approach to face the challenges beyond the health sector, to limit the spread of COVID-19, to limit the spread of dangerous disinformation of COVID-19, and to mitigate the damaging impact the virus can have on the most marginalized, secluded and remote communities and populations so that we leave no one behind in the fight against COVID-19.
 

WHO has said from the beginning that their greatest concern is the impact the corona virus could have if it gains a foothold in countries with weaker health systems, or with vulnerable populations.

Within this scope, UNDP's SDG Accelerator is working with internet service provider, BLUETOWN, one of the participating companies in SDG Accelerator in 2018, who is playing a key role in the response to COVID-19. BLUETOWN is supporting national responses by giving access to WHO information on COVID-19 for free in Ghana by using their local cloud solution, which they worked on in the SDG Accelreator programme, to reach those furthest left behind.

BLUETOWN users in Ghana can access WHO information on COVID-19 for free
 

Danish internet service provider, BLUETOWN, has developed a Wi-Fi hotspot running entirely on solar energy. BLUETOWN is investing in remote, rural, and semi-urban communities by deploying its solar powered connectivity solutions and making internet services available at affordable price points.

In order to overcome the barrier of unstable connections and low purchasing power in rural locations, BLUETOWN has developed a local cloud solution that provides continual access to digital content and services in its client communities. Here authorities, private companies, and NGO’s can post free learning material to the communities.

Poor connectivity challenges the health systems: According to the World Bank, WHO and McKinsey Global Institute, around 80 percent of incorrect medication in Africa could potentially be avoided if more clinics had internet access and could seek advice.  

The local cloud platform will allow BLUETOWN users in Ghana to access health information on the coronavirus pandemic as well as the Ghanaian president’s address to the nation regarding the outbreak.

We are very proud to have BLUETOWN as a participating company in the SDG Accelerator programme.

Find more information on BLUETOWN here.

BLUETOWN has also recently joined Business Call to Action (BCtA). UNDP hosts the secretariat of BCtA.