Youth Cautioned On Internet Use

Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi, Minister of Education, says some of the information on the internet is "undesirable" and has therefore asked the youth to avoid such information so that they do not become corrupted.

"Technology is neutral, neither good nor bad. It is the way we use technology that produces benefits or problems," he said.

This was contained in a speech read for him at a-two day IT Africa Fair in Accra last week. The minister asked internet providers to protect the youth from the dangers associated with the internet, whiles campaigning for increase in IT users.

Prof. Ameyaw-Ekumfi said the ministry is formulating policies to guide the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the education sector to develop human resources of the country. He said it is time for the youth to be equipped with knowledge, skills and attitudes to meet the challenges of the scientific and technological world. "The government's desire to redirect Ghana's education, develop human infrastructure and accelerate socio-economic development for a golden age for business will depend on our ability to utilise the immense opportunities provided by ICT," he said. He said because of the inability of the country's public universities to admit about 60% of qualified applicants each year, the ministry would promote the use of the internet to provide distance learning programs.

Mr. Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Minister of Communication and Technology announced that the government would establish a communications infrastructure company, which would seek to achieve universal and equitable access at reasonable cost.

He said ICT groups in the country should aim at contributing towards the realisation of the government's agenda and national development as a whole. He announced cabinet's approval of the National Communications Regulations and said it would soon be placed before Parliament for implementation. He said the government would also issue additional licences to encourage competition within the telecom sector.