Accra, March 1, GNA - Ghana would host the Third International Conference on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) from March 3 to 5, 2004, to share ideas on how ICT could be employed for economic development.

The conference, the first to be held in Africa after the first two in the United States is under the theme: "The Challenges of ICT Development: Policy, Strategies, Equity and Access.'' It is being organised by the International Chamber for Economic Development of U.S.A., while the Ministry of Information and Ministry of Communications and Technology would facilitate the event jointly with AITEC, Ghana.

The conference, to be held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), would be opened by the President, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Monday, Mr Kojo Yankah, Chairman of the Planning Committee, said the conference would place Ghana as an important destination for ICT, and she would benefit from the best practices of the other countries for economic growth. He said about 250 participants from Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and a number of international agencies were expected to attend the conference, adding that a number of individuals and ICT companies have already registered.

Mr Yankah said it would deliberate on National Strategies for ICT Policy Development, Africa and ICT Market Development, Harnessing ICT for Development and ICT for National, Regional and International Networking for Development, among other things.

He said the conference would also provide an opportunity for Ghana to showcase the efforts it had far made in ICT, as well as bring tourism benefits to the country.