The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has held its graduation and awards ceremony in Accra on the theme “Leaders in Innovation”.

In all, 457 students graduated in Post Graduate Diploma in Wireless and Mobile Computing, Web Application Development, Network and Information Security, Linux System Administration, Foundation of Software Development, Cisco Certified Network Association, Oracles/Network Basics, Geographic Information System and Certified Information Systems Audit.

Mr Ato Sarpong, Deputy Minister of Communications, said the government was committed to providing ICT infrastructure to help accelerate the nation’s socio-economic development.

He said the new fibre optic cable being laid from Ho to Bawku; approximately 580km, would be completed by the close of 2014, which would be commissioned by the President within the first half of 2015.

The Deputy Minister announced that plans were far advanced for the laying of another fibre optic cable in the Western corridor, which would be linked to the offshore oil fields.

He said the government would put the right regulations in place to help guide the activities of the players in the ICT industry.

He gave the assurance that with the ICT incubation centre in place in Kumasi, which would serve as a spring board for ICT activities, Ghana had a bright future.

Mr Sarpong said the World Bank loan of $ 97 million would be used to implement the government’s e-Parliament, e-Justice and e-Cabinet programmes.

He explained that the e-Cabinet system would enable state officials to streamline their decision-making process.

Ms Dorothy Gordon, Director General, Advance Information Technology Institute - Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence (AITI-KACE), said this year’s graduation ceremony was a special event as it was leading to their month long innovation programme, which commences from October 28 to November 22.

She said the event on the theme: “Innovation for Jobs, Productivity and Growth”, seeks to show case the decade-long achievements of the centre to the public.

She paid tribute to Mr Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General for his foresight and vision, which led to the creation of the centre.

Ms Gordon said AITI-KACE’s vision was to become globally preferred as the centre of excellence in ICT, declaring that graduates of the centre were capable of competing with their counters from across the globe.

The Director-General said the centre’s members of faculty were all Ghanaians.

She advised the graduates to have passion for the profession, and to maintain their integrity wherever they found themselves.

Ms Esther Asare was adjudged the overall best student.