driven, high value-added information and knowledge economy that can successfully compete on the global market. It is acknowledged that in the new information age, although the mere use of information, knowledge and technology can improve the socio-economic development fortunes of a given nation. Evidence shows that those nations who in addition are involved in the development as well as the sale of information (and information products), knowledge (and knowledge products) and technology (and its products), are moving faster on the socio-economic development scale compared to others. There is no doubt that in the new emerging economic order, the fundamental basis for wealth creation and national prosperity are information and knowledge and that Ghana cannot afford to be without either of these. The Challenges, and the Opportunities It is recognized that if Ghana is to move her industrially weak, subsistence agriculture-based economy towards an information and knowledge economy she will need to develop and implement comprehensive integrated ICT-led socio-economic development policies, strategies and plans set within the wider context of the socio-economic development objectives of the country. There is no doubt that for Ghana to compete and prosper in the new emerging global economy to be dominated by information and knowledge-based economies, she will need to embrace and harness ICTs to facilitate her development process. Ghana’s success in the emerging knowledge revolution and technological age will depend on the extent to which it manages to address the resultant developmental challenges and take advantage of rapidly evolving technologies. It is acknowledged that, although these new technologies present considerable challenges to developing countries like Ghana, they also provide considerable opportunities for sustainable development and for improving competitiveness of key sectors of the economy like: agriculture, industry, and services. This Policy Statement defines Ghana’s ICT-driven development agenda in the information age. The Statement sets out Ghana’s road map in terms of the vision, missions, strategies and policy priorities for developing Ghana’s information society and economy --- The ultimate objective is to: accelerate Ghana’s socio-economic development process towards the realization of the vision to transform Ghana into a high income economy and society that is predominately information-rich and knowledge-based within the next two to three decades or less. Acknowledging Ghana’s Developmental Challenges in terms of Key Socio-Economic Development Indicators The ICT4AD Policy acknowledges that for it to make a desirable and appreciable impact on the country’s developmental process it must in addition to being related to the wider social and economic development objectives and priorities of the nation, be aimed at addressing the developmental challenges facing Ghana defined in terms of key socio-economic indicators; ---- with specific reference to the fact that: • Ghana has a relatively high population growth rate. And that the nation’s population based on the current population growth rate of 2.5%, will reach 38 million --- double the 2000 figure by 2028. • Ghana has a relatively youthful population with close to 60% of the population under the age of 25 years and only 5% of the population over 65 years old 14