Accra (Greater Accra) 19 May ?99

Mr Kosi Kedem, Member of Parliament for Hohoe South, on Tuesday stressed the need for the introduction of computer studies in first and second cycle schools.

In a statement in Parliament on this year's World Telecommunications Day celebrations, Mr Kedem noted that due to the convergence of Information Technology and Communications, the world had shrunk into a global village.

The MP, who is also a member of the Select Committee on Communications, pointed out that nations can survive the next century if only they move abreast with the fast and vast developments taking place in Telecommunications.

Mr Kedem said, as Ghana aims at becoming an Information Society, Telecommunications becomes not only significant but also more and more crucial for its development and survival.

He said Information and Communication cut across the entire spectrum of every facet of human endeavour and development.

He was of the conviction that any nation that will capture the commanding heights of telecommunications in the next millennium will be the undisputed leader of the world.

The MP said since the future belongs to Telecommunications, the success of Ghana's Vision 2020 will depend largely on the level of Telecommunication development in the country.

"We dare not stand and stare while other nations are on the move. That will be a sure recipe for international isolation," Mr Kedem cautioned.

The day, which fell on Monday under the theme "Electronic Commerce", was declared by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).