NSCE 003

Science ICT NGO 2 Accra

Science ICT NGO 2 Accra Reviewing the report, the Board Chairman of YAFOW, Rev. Prof S. K. Adjepong, who is also the Principal of Methodist University College, thanked the Director of YAFOW and the research team for living up to their mandate, which culminated into such a comprehensive report. He noted that the report would serve as a working document for the establishment of the planned ICT Park in Cape Coast. He expressed the hope that all identifiable stakeholders including government, the private sector and civil society would respond positively to the recommendations contained in the report. He thanked the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) for the support and said that it was another example of the CTO's multi-strata strategy to promote ICTs with the Commonwealth. Commenting on the recommendations of the report, the Chief Executive of the CTO, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, expressed satisfaction with the report and noted that the recommendations suggested the need for a private-public-peoples' partnership, which was the model for developing countries to follow if they were to leverage resources from all sectors - government, private and civil society-in the midst of limited resources to undertake major development projects geared at the deployment and diffusion of ICTs such as the proposed ICT Park. He further acknowledged that the establishment of the ICT Park would increase the wealth of the region by promoting the culture of innovation and competitiveness of technology oriented businesses and knowledge-based institutions in the region. Dr Spio-Garbrah was hopeful that the relevant government agencies, including the Ministries of Education, Trade and Industry, Employment and Social Welfare, and Communications could work closely with the Central Regional Development Commission (CEDECOM), the technical wing of Central Regional Coordination Council(CRCC) and such agencies as the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, the Free Zones Board, the Association of Ghana Industries on one hand and Youth Aid Foundation for Winners(YAFOW) and other private sector institutions to move the project forward. Dr Spio-Garbrah also noted that prominent citizens of the region belonging to such development associations as the Oguaman Union in Ghana, the Mfantse Mpuntu Kuw in the United Kingdom and Alumni associations of Cape Coast area schools should assist in awakening the great potentials of Cape Coast so as to enable the region to benefit from the advantages of the global knowledge revolution and competition. 28 May 09