03 February 2010
Ghana, though has made some progress in the field of information and computer technology (ICT) over the years, much can still be done. Just as time is not static, so is technology.
The later keep and for developing countries of which Ghana is no exception to meet the challenging and changing demands of information society.
It is in the light of this that we make the following recommendations, which in the best of our knowledge, can help Ghana move, not only rapidly, but steadily towards attaining the status of an information society.
The Denis McQuail's Mass Communication (5th Edition pg 105) Melody (1990) described information society simply, as those that have become dependent upon complex electronic information networks.
This means electricity has a major role to play in the information society, as far as power or energy that will enable the complex electronic machines as the computer, printing machine, fax machine; mobile phones amongst others, are concerned to perform.
It is an undeniable fact that most rural areas in Ghana, where about 70 percent of the population dwell, have no access to electricity. Also, without electricity, the one laptop per child policy being introduced into our basic schools will only be a mirage. Lack of electricity will impede the attainment of the information society Ghana dreams of attaining.
It is therefore important that rural electrification be among the first on the scale of preference of Ghana's developmental policy agenda, or goals.
Melody further described an information society, as that which allocates a major portion of its resources to information and communications activities. Ghana's Information Services Department has suffered great infrastructural challenges over the years.
The situation has not seen any improvement in recent times. The media, by and large, serves the medium of channel for disseminating information. But, how much of Ghana's resources are allocated to the information and communication activities?
If Melody's later description of information society is an idea to go by, then I recommend that the government must allocate (if not the majority of its resources) enough resource(s) to the Information Services Department, for the training of media personnel, who in recent times rely heavily on complex electronic means of communication, to ensure a smooth take off towards attaining a rapid information society.
Another recommendation which cannot be overlooked, as to how Ghana can attain rapid information society, is the alleviation of poverty. Most people who are financially challenged, are much concerned about what to eat, wear, paying of fees, utility bills among others.
The availability or access to information is of no interest to such people. I therefore recommend that the government Poverty Alleviation Fund and Micro Finance Loans Scheme resume full operations without fear, favouritism, nepotism or tribalism.
Dorothy Mansa Bruce, Ghana Institute of Journalism
Source: All Africa News
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201002021070.html