ICT conference and exhibition opens

Accra, June 1, GNA - The Ministry of Communications is promoting the development of an Information Technology Park, with the state-of-the-art infrastructure, geared towards hi-tech businesses. This would create a strategic base and an environment that would enable businesses to gain competitive advantage in the global market. Mr David Gyewu, Deputy Minister of Communications, announcing this at the opening of the Eight Annual AITEC West African Information Communication Technology (ICT) conference on Tuesday said through the Technology Park network connectivity several technological and administrative services would be provided.

"This will create the necessary conducive environment for the IT business practices that will also take advantage of the wealth of human resources available in Ghana," he said.

The three-day conference, organised by the ICT community in West Africa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications is on the theme: "Building Public-Private Partnerships and Creating Opportunities Through ICT."

The conference aimed at highlighting the partnership and collaboration for the development of economies in the face of emerging global challenges in the new environment.

Media Representatives and ICT Experts from West African countries are attending.

Mr Gyewu said the philosophy of "Public-Private Partnership" was the main pillar of government policy to further position the sector as the engine of growth for the economy.

He stated that the Ministry, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy was actively promoting the establishment of a national fibre backbone infrastructure as foundation for digital inclusion.

Under the programme, a resilient and high-speed telecommunications infrastructure had been planned to disseminate and support the state-of-art integrated ICT services to all segments of the population. Mr Gyewu urged ICT practitioners to see their participation in the conference as an opportunity to acquaint themselves with developments within the industry so that they did not simply respond to the standards imposed on them by suppliers and manufacturers, but also to participate on influencing their decisions.

He further cautioned Manufacturers and Suppliers to dispel the notion of using the Sub-Region as dumping grounds for sub-standard and obsolete ICT products.

Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Deputy Minister of Information, who opened the conference, challenged media practitioners to develop their own websites to highlight on some of the positive information and developments in the Sub-Region.

He further urged the media to devote attention towards the coverage of ICT programmes to enhance ICT education in the country.