Thursday, February 03, 2005
African leaders call for regional integration
By Angella Nabwowe
Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame says if Africans are to receive greater access to information and communications technologies, the Geneva Plan of Action alone will not deliver the desired results. He said that we will also need to work towards achieving greater regional cooperation.
Paul Kagame was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Africa Regional preparatory conference for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
Kagame said that Africa needs solidarity and must present a unified stance to achieve socio-economic development through the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs).
Kagame described ICTs as a tool for embracing a vision and for ushering in other opportunities, adding that in Rwanda government recognises the ICT potential to deal with many problems. “In my view, as far as Africa is concerned, only regional integration will help build a global information society,” said Kagame.
He said each country needs to build a strong relationship between the business and public sectors. This is especially true in landlocked countries such as Rwanda. He added that African states must work together and take the necessary steps by involving all stakeholders. “If we continue to work together and take necessary action, involve civil society, private sector, we shall be able to create infrastructure that reaches every one, this is the only way we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our people”, he said.
Kagame emphasized the need to increase investments in research and development in order to create a conducive environment to be able to compete in the global market. “The necessary conditions for the establishment of (ICTs) are not yet in place and we do not have the luxury to wait, since other continents are making quick advancements”.
The Tunisian commitment
Speaking at the same event, the Tunisian prime minister, Mouhamed Ghounnushi, announced a grant of 400 000 dinars ($325 000) to facilitate the work of civil societies in developing countries. He reiterated Tunisia’s commitment to ensuring the success of the 2nd phase of the WSIS in Tunis in November this year. He added that it will ensure the active participation of grass-roots organisations, the public sector, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and other stake holders.
Ghounnushi echoed president Kagame’s call for a vision with greater solidarity at the international level, “We are deeply convinced that the African regional preparatory conference will help better clarify visions, exchange view points, deepen the awareness of the current challenges lying ahead for a world to be characterised by more justice, solidarity and tolerance,” said Ghounnushi.
Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame says if Africans are to receive greater access to information and communications technologies, the Geneva Plan of Action alone will not deliver the desired results. He said that we will also need to work towards achieving greater regional cooperation.
Paul Kagame was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Africa Regional preparatory conference for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
Kagame said that Africa needs solidarity and must present a unified stance to achieve socio-economic development through the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs).
Kagame described ICTs as a tool for embracing a vision and for ushering in other opportunities, adding that in Rwanda government recognises the ICT potential to deal with many problems. “In my view, as far as Africa is concerned, only regional integration will help build a global information society,” said Kagame.
He said each country needs to build a strong relationship between the business and public sectors. This is especially true in landlocked countries such as Rwanda. He added that African states must work together and take the necessary steps by involving all stakeholders. “If we continue to work together and take necessary action, involve civil society, private sector, we shall be able to create infrastructure that reaches every one, this is the only way we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our people”, he said.
Kagame emphasized the need to increase investments in research and development in order to create a conducive environment to be able to compete in the global market. “The necessary conditions for the establishment of (ICTs) are not yet in place and we do not have the luxury to wait, since other continents are making quick advancements”.
The Tunisian commitment
Speaking at the same event, the Tunisian prime minister, Mouhamed Ghounnushi, announced a grant of 400 000 dinars ($325 000) to facilitate the work of civil societies in developing countries. He reiterated Tunisia’s commitment to ensuring the success of the 2nd phase of the WSIS in Tunis in November this year. He added that it will ensure the active participation of grass-roots organisations, the public sector, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and other stake holders.
Ghounnushi echoed president Kagame’s call for a vision with greater solidarity at the international level, “We are deeply convinced that the African regional preparatory conference will help better clarify visions, exchange view points, deepen the awareness of the current challenges lying ahead for a world to be characterised by more justice, solidarity and tolerance,” said Ghounnushi.
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