An estimated 99 per cent of Ghanaian Internet users only explore the Internet for sending and receiving e-mail messages without taking advantage of other opportunities and information it provides.

The Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr. Felix Owusu- Adjapong, who gave the gloomy statistics said in other third world countries, such as India and Malaysia, information technology (IT) contributes more than 15 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through out- sourcing of services.

The services include data processing, data input, web site out-sourcing and data imaging. Mr Owusu Adjapong said this in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of the first Ghana Web Awards in Accra on Thursday.

The awards aim to unearth and encourage latent talents in the youth in the field of IT and also to promote the highest level of policy through the re-enactment of laws to include electronic information development, storage and access culture in primary and tertiary institutions.

It will also explore the IT sector as a foreign exchange earner for Ghana as pertains in other parts of the world.

The Minister said the launching of the awards is in line with government's policy to champion the development of IT to equip the youth with employable skills as well as use it in all facets of governance and administration.

He said by this awards' programme, the organisers are indirectly creating new economic development opportunities and providing a useful base for the promotion of human resources for macro and small business operators.

Mr Owusu-Adjapong lauded the contributions of private organisations and individual operators in the IT industry for taking advantage of the liberalisation programme despite the problems militating against the smooth operation of the telecommunications industry. He urged all stakeholders to endeavour to eliminate barriers, which tend to limit communication and access to information, which impede rapid socio-economic development.

A panel of 19 judges comprising students, computer dealers, international experts and professionals will assess the awards in content and design. The awards ceremony comes off in July.