Accra, Nov. 20, GNA - Government is determined to promote Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education nation-wide, Mr. Gideon Quarcoo, Deputy Minister of Communications said in Accra on Friday. He noted that the new world economic revolution required intensive and intelligent use of ICT that must not be limited to the urban centres but should be extended to the grassroots as well.

"ICT offers an opportunity to the nation to accelerate socio-economic development and global competitiveness through industrialisation, "he said. Mr. Quarcoo was addressing a seminar organised by the management of Unified Networks EMEA limited, dealers in wired and wireless Internet Protocol based infrastructure, solutions, products and services. It sought to explore key wireless and telecommunication advance required for rapid economic growth

The seminar was attended by about 200 ICT experts from the telecommunications industry and ICT providers. Mr. Quarcoo gave the assurance that government would continue with the implementation of projects under the Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development Policy (ICTADP) of 2004, the blue print for systematic drift to an ICT-led development in the country.

He explained that under the policy, government through the Ministry of Communications and Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) would provide the funding to roll out 238 Community Information Centres (CICs) throughout the country. Mr. Quarcoo said government was mapping out targets of ICT to build vibrant economy with assistance to e-Government, e-Commerce, e-Tourism and e-Health.

The 2009 World Bank Information and Communication for Development report on impact of broadband on growth in 120 countries from 1980 to 2006 indicates 10 per cent broadband penetration in both developed and developing countries.

While this resulted in 1.21 per cent increase in the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in developed countries, developing countries recorded 1.38 per cent increase.