Accra, May 18, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday said the healthy partnership between the private sector and Government was yielding positive strides in the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and services in the country.

"We have seen that ICT brings us together, it expands and improves education and agricultural production, helps in health delivery and provides empowerment especially for the girl child," President Kufuor noted in a speech read for him by Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister for Defence at the second ICT awards night in Accra.

He said government would continue to provide an enabling environment to support the activities of all communications service providers to ensure that citizens are not denied the benefits of technology no matter their location.

Dr Benjamin Aggrey Ntim, Minister of Communication, said the objective of this year's award was to create greater awareness of the role of ICT in the public services and the development process within the framework of the information society.

He said government decided to institute this awards scheme to acknowledge the various roles being played by institutions and individuals towards the promotion, learning and usage of ICT. Some 13 awards were presented to deserving individuals and institutions with the top ICT personality of the year going to Akwasi Pianim Osei.

Tigo mobile network won the top telecom company of the year award with the prize for the top ICT training institution of the year and top hardware company of the year going to IPMC.

The top ICT for development project of the year went to the computerized school selection and placement system (CSSPS) while the Office of the President ICT project won the top government ICT project of the year.

Busy Internet won top internet service provider and a lifetime achievement awards. Ran card limited won the top software company of the year, while Cyber city internet won top internet caf=E9 of the year and Justice K.B. Annam being adjourned the best ICT start up company, individual division. Microsoft Company won the best foreign entity prize.