Kumasi June 12, GNA - The Ministry of Communication in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Sports is pursuing a programme to promote the local assembly of affordable computers for use in education and also arrange fairer purchase terms for workers and students. In addition, training opportunities were being provided at the Community Information Centres that were being built in communities and would be provided with direct access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities such as Internet connectivity, telephones, tele-libraries and distance education.

Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Communications, announced this at the graduation of 200 students of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology in Kumasi on Saturday. He said for the country to progress and establish a foothold in the new information and communication age, it is important to build and disciplined youth sufficiently equipped with computer skills. The Minister therefore, stressed the need for everybody to become computer literate to enable the country compete with advanced countries in the ICT.

Mr Kan-Dapaah also said the government is very appreciative of the contributions of the private sector in that regard and highly commended the contributions of the management of the institute for establishing the school to equip the youth with the necessary ICT skills. "Let us display the shining qualities that will inspire others to follow your example and also acquire the training to confront the future of hope", he added. Mr Edward Kwame Nkrumah, Director of the Institute said the institute, established by the Compu-Net Services in 1999, has so far trained over 700 graduands who have been employed in many institutions and private companies. He also said the institute offers both theoretical and practical courses which included computer studies and administration, computer accounting studies, Designer Desktop Publishing and Computer Networking.

The Director appealed to the government to introduce computer training courses from the basic level to help many people to become computer literate. Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah, Asokore-Manponghene, who presided at the function, asked the graduands to use their skills and contribute to the development of the country.