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Dialogue with the Directors of the Research Institutes of the CSIR
The National ICT Policy and Plan Development Committee dialogued with the Directors of the Research Institutes of the CSIR on the 13th of February 2003 as part of the National Consultative exercise aimed at developing an ICT-driven socio-economic development policy and plan.
A presentation was made by Professor Clement Dzidonu Chairman of the National ICT Policy and Plan Development Committee on the topic: ‘The Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development Process: The Challenge of Our Time’. A supporting presentation was also made by Dr. Nii Narku Quaynor, the Executive Director of Enterprise Africa and a member of the UN ICT Task Force.
List of Participants
| Prof. E. Owusu Bennoah |
– Ag. Dir. Gen., CSIR |
Prof. A. A. Oteng Yeboah |
– CSIR |
| Dr. Joseph O. Gogo |
– STEPRI |
Mrs. Eileen Odartei-Laryea |
– CSIR |
| Mr. K. Amua-Mensah |
– BRRI – Kumasi |
Kwabena A. Nketia |
– CSIR |
| Dr. Charles A. Biney |
– Water Research Inst. |
J. B. Darkwa |
– CSIR |
| Dr. W. K. Amoa-Awua |
– Food Research Inst. |
Dr. R. B. Lartey |
– IIR |
| Mr. C. Entsuah-Mensah |
– INSTI |
Dr. T. E. O. Asamoah |
– Oil Palm |
| Dr. K. G. Aning |
– Animal Research Inst. |
Dr. J. A. Otto |
– CSIR |
| Dr. S. O. Bennet-Lartey |
– Plant Genetic Resource. Cen., Bunso |
Armah Blay |
– CSIR |
| Dr. A. B. Salifu |
– Savanna Agric Research Inst. |
K. A. Darko |
– CSIR |
| Dr. R. D. Asiamah |
– Soil Research Inst. Kumasi |
Dr. J. R. Cobbinah |
– FORIG |
Some of the key Comments & Contributions
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Since ICT alone cannot be the panacea to all problems, there is the need to emphasize the link between ICT and other socio-economic factors such as education (formal and informal), the ratio of scientist/engineers per capita, attitudinal changes etc.
- There is the need to ensure a link between the National ICT Policy and the National Science & Technology Policy for synergy and consistency.
- There is the need to design programmes to consistently inform the populace of changes and the need for ICTs in the promotion of socio-economic development.
- The Critical Success Factors are of great importance to the success of the adoption of ICT to promote the development of the economy. Attitudinal changes must be addressed.
- There is the need to motivate the average Ghanaian to realize that he/she is part of the solution in building a sound economy.
- For ICT to have any meaningful impact, certain basic infrastructure like telecommunication facilities, electricity, etc are very essential to the process. A lot of effort has to be made to link up the whole country with telephone facilities.
- The Policy must place great importance on the development of Science and Technology as the basis for the socio-economic development of the country.
- In terms of Human capacity building, it is important to develop ICT oriented curriculum for all levels of the educational system.
- In drafting the Policy, the legal framework of the Policy must also be critically examined.
Next - Public Forum at the University of Cape Coast
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