Only 1.4 per cent of Ghanaian schools have access to ICT - Dr Sam Jonah

Cape Coast , July 19, GNA - The Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Dr Sam Jonah, on Saturday disclosed that as compared to Singapore 's 100 per cent and Malaysia 's 14.7 per cent, only 1.4 per cent of schools in Ghana had access to Information, Communication and Technology (ICT).

He therefore called for massive investment into ICT in the country's educational sector to help accelerate the nation's development process, calling on students to take the study of ICT seriously as it was a determining factor in the current job market.

Dr Jonah made the comparison when he delivered the keynote address at the Centenary Durbar and Awards day of Adisadel College in Cape Coast , at the weekend.

The durbar, which attracted a large number of people from all walks of life including, President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, old boys and other personalities, was on the theme: "Projecting the Adisadel Spirit into the Next Century".

Dr Jonah called for exchange and outreach programmes between urban and rural Junior and Secondary Schools, as well as schools outside Ghana in the area of sports, drama and debate for exchange of ideas between the students, and also create a congenial environment for learning.

He bemoaned the inadequate infrastructure in the school and re-echoed calls for partnership support from the private sector, alumni of the school, as well as government to help correct the situation, saying, it would drastically reduce the financial burden of the school.

He also called for scholarship packages for financially deprived students in order to create equal opportunity for them to excel in life.

On the issue of extra classes organized for students by some teachers, Dr Jonah said it was unheard of in their days, yet they were able to excel.

He called on students not to rely on extra classes, but should rather study hard and pass their examinations once and for all.

President Mills who was presented with his portrait, was made an honorary old student of the school and was decorated with a badge.

Other personalities honoured included a former headmaster of the school, Mr Robert Thompson Orleans-Pobee who was made the centenary Santaclausian, Mr Kojo Yankah, President of the African University College of Communication, and Dr Jonah were decorated with badges for their contribution towards the development of the school.

GNA