Ghana begins E-Learning dialogue

Accra, April 12, GNA - Ghana, 14 other develop and developing countries would from April 18th to 21st engage in an International Electronic Learning (E-Learning) Guild 2006 annual conference at Boston, United State of America.

The Conference is designed to offer a platform for senior management professionals, ministers of states, and educational stakeholders to focus on strategic modern educational system of learning.

The E-Learning engage participants through focused learning, targeted networking, sharing of expertise and build-up of community of learners for the promotion and infusion of modern trend of education. Other participating countries are; Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany, Kong, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northen Mariana Island, United Kingdom and United State of America.

The conference is being co-hosted by E-Learning for Kids a global non-profit foundation, Learning for International Non-Governmental Organisations (LINGOs), New England Learning Association, which aimed at fostering education through technology and Learning Solutions majoring on practical applications of technology for learning.

In a press statement, Mr. George Sackey Jnr, Executive President of E-Toys and More, Ghana, a global non-profit Foundation that provides free online learning for children said, the conference was a practical demonstration for bridging the digital and broadband divide. He said bridging the digital divide was part of the key objectives of the World Summit for the Information Society in Geneva to narrow the ICT gap between the industrialised world and developing countries, which Ghana was a signatory.

Mr. Sackey said increased access and usage of ICT could improve national competitiveness, create sustainable economic growth and job opportunities to foster development of a highly skilled workforce and improve productivity and efficiency.

He said ICT held the key to the attainment of the targets that the world had set for itself in the Millennium Development Goals and revamping of country's educational systems.

The E-Toys and More President said ICT could significantly improve upon the status of life of every Ghanaian, adding: "If ICT is good for the privileged ones and those who live in the urban and city centres then it must be even better for the less privileged and those who live in the rural areas."

The E-Learning technology encourages learning, develops confidence and enhances the child's developmental potential, and prepares children for future technology.

Mr Sackey said due to the impact of ICT, the world was shifting from the traditional forms of teaching and learning and replacing them with modern forms of electronic learning.

He therefore, urged African educational institutions to take advantage of the available technology for social-economic transformation of the continent. 12 April 06