Government would not limit ICT training to the Cities

Nkwantakese (Ash), Oct 24, GNA - The Government is determined to aggressively promote Information Communication Technology Education across the country, Mr Gideon Quarcoo, Deputy Minister of Communications, has said. He noted that the new economic revolution of the world requires intensive and intelligent use of the computer and this must not be limited to only city and urban dwellers but to all citizens. ICT offers a window of opportunity to the nation in its quest to hasten the pace of socio-economic growth and global competitiveness through industrialization, he stated. Mr Quarcoo was addressing the closing session of a two-week Capacity Development workshop for 40 Community Information Centre (CIC) Managers at JAK-CITI, Nkwantakese in the Afigya-Kwabre District, on Friday. He gave the assurance that the government would continue with the implementation of projects under the Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development Policy (ICTADP) of 2004, the blue print for the nation's systematic drift to an ICT-led development.

It is against this backdrop, he said, that the Government through the Communications Ministry and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) was providing funding to roll out of 238 CICs throughout the country.

He called on the participants to make the centres accessible to all members of the community irrespective of gender, occupation, tribe or status adding, "you should try to use the CICs to enhance governance at the local level, promote self-inclusion but mainly as a centre for ICT learning and development."

Mr Kamil Kamaluddeen, UNDP Country Director, said the organization would partner the government and support well-meaning initiatives and the development of the people. He said the organization would continue to assist all the three CICs in the district to enable them to provide the people with the needed ICT training to improve on their economic activities. Mr Kofi Attor, Administrator of GIFEC, urged them to be humble and be committed to their work. Mr. Kwaku Oppong-kyekyeku Kaakyire, Afigya Kwabre District Chief Executive, advised the Managers to put the skills and knowledge acquired at the disposal of their learners. They should also see to the proper maintenance of the facilities and refrain from using them as their personal property. The Most Reverend Joseph Osei-Bonsu, the Catholic Bishop of Konongo-Mampong Diocese, appealed to the government to construct a hostel for the JAK-CITI centre at Nkwantakese.