Minister Cautions On Internet Use

The Minister of Education, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi, last weekend cautioned users of Information Technology (IT) to be circumspect on its use, the absence of which he said can have negative effects on the country.

He said, "technology is neutral, neither good nor bad. It is the way we use technology that produces benefits or problems."

Prof. Ameyaw-Ekumfi made the remarks, during the 50th anniversary launching of St. John's School, Sekondi at the Teachers' Hall in Accra. He spoke on the topic "Modernising education in Ghana with IT and making it more reliable to the modern economy."

He said, certain information on the Internet are undesirable and have the tendency to corrupt young students in second cycle institutions.

The Minister explained he was not condemning the internet but was rather suggesting a strategy that, would necessitate the adoption of certain principles to protect the youth from any negative impact of IT. He called on tutors and lecturers, to harness the positive uses of the IT and incorporate them into the learning process to enhance the development of education.

IT, he went on if well instituted in the country would provide Ghanaian students and teachers an opportunity to exchange ideas and share experiences with their counterparts world-wide.

Brother Joseph Annan, Headmaster of St. John's School, called for government intervention in providing the school with adequate infrastructure as the existing ones are dilapidated. He also called on the Old Boys to join hands with the government to put up more bungalows for the staff.

Mr. Francis K Kwantury, President of Accra-Tema branch of Old Saints, announced the erection of a C5million library complex by the association which would be named after one of the pioneers of the school, the late Prof, Paul V. Ansah, a former lecturer of the University of Ghana.