Then what about the ISODEC organisation? You might be surprised by what you find. Is it remembered? Written down? How many other people know and use this information? How is this information communicated? What problems do they have with the information? How could they improve the information? Then find out the 5 most important pieces information that applies separately to the different offices in Tamale, Sunyani and Bolgatanga. Find out what are the 5 most important pieces of information that each of your colleagues uses in their daily work. Set yourself a challenge over the next month.

Don’t concern yourself with the solution until you understand the problem. Take a step back take a look at the bigger picture. There are many technologies appropriate for different problems that need to be solved regarding any piece of information, none should be ruled out. ‘IT’ stands for ‘Information Technology’ not information on computers. The information itself once well understood will determine the best technology. Get to know and understand it, for it is the life blood of the organisation. Rather than worrying about the sustainability of the technology concentrate on the information. Remember without the information the technology has no life and only really has a passing interest before it is superseded by the next techno-fad to come along. Have you forgotten your initial aims? Like most of us who profess to be IT professionals you are a ‘Tech-head’, more interested in the technology aspects of ‘Information Technology’ than the information. However, reading your blog it appears that one month in temptation has already got the better of you and you have already developed one database for which you yourself have expressed doubts as to its design and usefulness, and now debating whether you should be using Microsoft access or an “ Base application”. In this way I assume you hoped to work in a way that would prove to be more sustainable and harmonious. In this way I think you hoped to avoid imposing your western experience of IT into what seems to me, to be a definitely non-western organisation.

You left with the best of intentions to learn about the organisation first before imparting your skills and wisdom.

Openoffice base vs ms access