The developmental gap between Africa and the developed world can be narrowed by exploiting ICT for economic development.
This is the opinion of Illinois State University`s Dr Matthew Kuofie, chairman of an upcoming conference aiming to tackle IT`s role in spurring the economies of developing countries.
The Information Institute, a non-profit organisation based in Washington DC, and the University of Ghana will be holding the conference on IT and economic development (CITED), from 21 to 23 July at the university`s campus in Legon.
Themed "Exploiting IT for Development", it is the first in a series of conferences to be held around the world in locations usually on the periphery of economic development, according Kuofie.
Kuofie believes Ghana is an important host for CITED, because it is receptive to the application of ICT, which he says is "mandatory" for economic development in Africa.
Information and knowledge are essential raw materials for economic development, he says, which ICT can store, share and network at an extremely fast speed.
Kuofie says Africa has come a long way with the provision of ICT infrastructure in urban areas. There is a lack, however, of ICT development in rural areas.
"There are no adequate strategic policies in place for ICT infrastructures to get to the rural areas, which is creating lack of development and skills," he says.
This conference will help link participants to rural development projects, creating consultancy, growth and international funding, says Kuofie, adding CITED will bring together over 200 people from around the world, with a large portion from Africa.
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