The world increasingly has become a global village, as a result of the impact of Information Technology (IT) and Science development, indicative of the fact that truly we are in an information age.

Our nation cannot afford to be left behind in this great endeavor as most economies of the world are shifting from depending on traditional sources of income towards intellectual resources.

Blessed with abundant natural and human resources, we have dwelt for far two long on the former and its time for the nation to begin to explore the later to its maximum potential.

Countries like India and a few other Asian countries have advanced from a third world status, to a new and a better status as a result of its strong role in the IT sector, especially software development.

Today, the country does not only have enough to meet its IT manpower needs, but earns handsomely through the export of its software. The pool of capable IT manpower in the country has equally become a strong attraction for entrepreneurs from other countries, thereby attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the country.

The Indian story did not start overnight, but through careful and deliberate policies and the provision of IT infrastructures. By creating IT parks, the government of India was able to provide its citizenry with the opportunities that has today transformed the people and the country at large.

IT Parks or Information Technology Parks are vast commercial complexes spread over acres of land -housing the basic infrastructure and facilities required for any IT business firm. The instigation of IT Parks began in Hyderabad, also popularly known as "the Silicon Valley of the east".

Hyderabad, being the hub of all the IT and software developments in India has the maximum demand for IT spaces that provide all the infrastructure facilities under one roof.

It's no secret that the country had its road map for its ICT development ready. But how have they been able to implement this to the extent that the average Ghanaian can have, see, touch and use a computer?

Our youth deserve the best and that should start with a good head start in life. It's highly gratifying to see the recent collaboration between the ministry of Communication and Omatek Computers, Ghana's Local Computer Company to make computers available to all Ghanaians under the umbrella of The Ghana Government PC Assisted Program - i- ADVANCE.

The Minister of Communication, Dr Benjamin Aggrey-Ntim said at the launch of the event that Omatek would help to multiply the current number of computers that have been supplied to Ghanaians under the program.

"It is our hope that the partnership with Omatek will help multiply several times the number of computers available to students, civil servants and public institutions, stating that the initiative would impact positively on education, job creation and employment, which are necessary for accelerating the country's development," the Minister said.

Since its launch two years ago, the i-ADVANCE project has helped to make available over 21,000 computers, both desktops and laptops. Government can also go the way of India by creating IT parks in various communities in the regions so as to leapfrog the impact of IT development in the country at the grassroots as well.

In the same vein, tax holidays, reduced or zero duty tax on imported computer raw materials for the local OEM's in the country will make it possible for the manufacturers to produce at a lower rate and make their products more affordable to the general public.

The youth are the future of this great country and whatever the government needs to do in sports, education, entertainment, politics and religion that would guarantee their future should not be compromised but be done urgently because procrastination as we have been told, is the enemy of time.

Omatek is the first factory in Africa to produce computer casings, speakers, desktops and notebooks from Completely Knocked Components (CKD), out of its Nigeria and Ghana factories.