NGO to hold ICT conference in Ghana

Accra, July 17, GNA - Information Institute, an ICT oriented non-profit organization based in the United States, would hold an international conference on technology for economic development in Ghana from July 21 to July 23 2006.

Conference Chairman Dr Matthew Kuofie, an Information Technology Lecturer of the Illinois State University, told journalists in Accra on Monday that it was important for Africa to catch up with technological advancement because it had the solutions to her developmental problems. The conference, which is being organized with support from the Commonwealth Hall of the University of Ghana; would offer the opportunity for IT experts from various countries to put across the difficulties hampering ICT development in the Region and offer solutions to over 200 participants.

Dr Kuofie, an Alumni of the University of Ghana, said the gaps that existed between the developed and the developing countries were wide saying, whereas it was easy to find an IT facility at every corner in the United States, one would have to travel long distances to be able to have access to such facilities for information and knowledge to solve their problems.

Mr Tom Oduro Kwarteng, a Veteran Journalist and Former Board Chairman of the Ghana News Agency, said it was necessary for Ghanaians to take advantage of the benefits of the conference to find solutions to economic problems that the country faced.

He said similar conferences held by the conference organizers in India and other countries received high patronage by nationals because they acknowledged the importance of ICT to their myriad problems. He, therefore, urged the public to avail themselves to take part in the conference to apply its benefits to their businesses. The conference is targeted at government officials and the business community and has the theme "Exploiting IT for Development". Issues to be discussed would include ICT infrastructure, deployment, Internet security and technicalities.