Mr Ernest Debrah, Acting Northern Regional Minister has said that the government recognised the importance of Information Technology to development. "It is in this vein that the development of Information Technology in the country has become one of the major objectives of the government," he said.
This was contained in an address read on his behalf at the commissioning of an Information and Documentation Resource Centre at the Tamale campus of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS).
"In this era of globalisation, a country that does not address the problem of information accessibility and dissemination would not only be marginalised but would also be left in economic doldrums," Mr Debrah said.
Equipped by the UNICEF, the Centre with an Information Technology Unit and a Library is housed in a rehabilitated building of the Institute. Mr Debrah noted that the Centre was strategically located to make information on the three northern regions easily accessible to researchers, development partners, investors and tourists.
"It is therefore our expectation that those who will have access to the Centre, would make good use of the people and contribute significantly to its sustainability. Indeed, it is my hope that when we come again to visit the Centre in future, we would see significant development based on a new culture of maintenance," the Minister added.
There is a big technological gap between Northern Ghana and the rest of the country, which must be bridged, he said adding that, the commissioning had come at the most appropriate time. "I appeal to the district assemblies, NGOs and public spirited individuals to assist the Centre to achieve the purpose, for which it was established," he said.
Mr Isaac Banyeh, Director of the Tamale campus of ILGS, noted that the Institute was uniquely placed to promote capacity building to enhance decentralisation especially in the northern regions. This was not only due to its "geo-centric" position in the northern sector but also because of the well-structured skill based courses it offered for local government staff.
The Institute intended to organise a conference to explore ways of strengthening local governance, he said adding that, it would also identify professionals in various disciplines who could help improve the staffing position of deprived district assemblies, he said.
Mr Banyeh commended UNICEF for contributing to the development of the Institute.
Dr Kamesh Shrestha, UNICEF Resident Representative in Ghana, in a statement read on his behalf, urged the Tamale campus of ILGS, to strengthen its role in co-ordinating capacity-building programmes for district assemblies to eliminate duplication.
The Institute, he said should also ensure leadership in linking capacity development to improved service delivery. He gave the assurance UNICEF would work closely with the Institute to improve the capacity of members, professional and administrative staff of district assemblies, community-based organisations and NGOs.
