Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been described as one of the vital tools needed for the acceleration of the growth of any developing nation. To this end Global Teenage Project (GTP), an ICT oriented Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has taken it upon itself to organise programmes in ICT for interested schools, teachers and students nationwide.

Speaking on Wednesday at the sixth annual awards ceremony of the NGO, Mr. Ebenezer Malcolm, Project Manager of GTP, noted that the main objective of GTP was to promote the use of the internet, especially email, to foster cultural exchange among participants. "In Ghana, the project currently also involves the capacity building of students and teachers in the use of computer software, web training, online teaching, development training programs and other multi media usages," he added.

He noted that since the inception of the NGO eight years ago, participating schools in the country had teamed up with their counterparts from 36 other countries, which also had such ICT programmes to research into thematic topics such as HIV/AIDS, ICT, cultural, human rights and environmental issues.

Mr Malcolm mentioned web development skills, MS Power Point and graphical presentation, training in basic and advanced knowledge in ICT and the presentation of awards to participating schools, teachers and students as some of the benefits that participants had received. He noted that due to the beneficial nature of the project about 5,000 teachers and students in 20 countries across the world were taking part in the programmes of the GTP.

About 20 schools, teachers and pupils were given certificates for their participation in the programmes of the GTP. Special Awards were given to Mrs. Abena Kwakye of Morning Star School for being the Overall Best Head of Participating Schools, while the award for the Best Participating School was given to Blessed Amis International School in Accra. The Award for the Best School in Research was also won by Morning Star School in Accra.