Accra, March 13, GNA - Mr Ousmane Mahamane, Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, on Friday appealed leaders in the sub- region to show more political commitment towards the introduction of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in educational systems. Mr Mahamane made the appeal when he closed the four- day ECOWAS Joint Committee Meeting on Education, Science, Technology, Youth, Sports, Culture, and Communication and information Technology in Accra. It was on the theme: "Introduction of new information and communication technologies in the educational systems; challenges and perspectives."

The meeting considered work done so far in the attempt to introduce ICT in the education curricula, possibilities of quickening the pace of on going harmonisation of national and regional policies and the role of the community computer centre in the implementation of the project. It is expected that participants would identify a strategy for a quick introduction of ICT, recognise the role of parliamentarians in the process and propose a plan of action to achieve results.

Mr Ousmane said the meeting attracted intense deliberations marked by recommendations and fruitful discussions, which would help the parliamentarians to measure the stake of ICT in education. He noted that as parliamentarians who are true moderators of political discussions in the sub-region, they have a very important role to play in the consolidation of democracy.

"This is why I appreciate the fair value of your resolution. to strongly appeal to the governments of the community zone in order to obtain more political commitment to ICT." He said the Bureau of the ECOWAS Parliament would give greater attention to the conclusions of the meeting.