Commonwealth Tele Boss presents rural connectivity report to President Koroma

Accompanied by Minister of Information and Communications I. B. Kargbo, Deputy Minister Saidata Sesay, and Chairman of the National Telecommunications Company (NATCOM) Siray Alpha Timbo, the Chief Executive Officer of the London-based Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, yesterday 8^th March 2010 presented President Koroma with a comprehensive report done by the CTO on different telecommunications programmes in African countries and beyond. (Photo: I B Kargbo)

When introducing the CEO to the President at State House, Minister I.B. Kargbo said Dr. Spio-Garbrah and his three-man delegation are in the country on the invitation of the Ministry and NATCOM to attend the conference on rural telecommunications connectivity initiative in Makeni. He said the CEO, a former Minister of Communication in Ghana, is interested in connecting the whole of Africa through the rural-connectivity system, adding that the delegation is also here to support the efforts of the government to promote public-private-people’s partnerships. Minister Kargbo paid special tribute to NATCOM boss Siray Timbo for initiating the idea of hosting the workshop for rural connectivity. He believed that the President will send someone who would ably represent him as he unavoidably travels to Nigeria on a very crucial ECOWAS meeting.

In his remarks, Dr. Garbrah expressed gratitude for the invitation and said, “We are here to support efforts of your government to improve information and communication technology.” Before delivering the report to the President, Dr. Garbrah said research was conducted over an 18-month period, that they have tested the system in the US, Canada, Indonesia and Malaysia with over 500 telephone companies operating in rural areas, and that the subscribers are co-owners of the project. He pledged his entire support and services to the government at all times saying: “We are at your disposal in terms consultancy, research, and playing an advisory role.”

Welcoming the ICT expert, President Koroma said they are coming at a very critical time of the country’s development drive: “I strongly believe that until we embark on promoting ICT, we will not be able to integrate national development to international standards. We are therefore putting in place the necessary infrastructure and policies to facilitate the improvement on information and communication technology.”

The President said he was very excited at the idea of connectivity for the rural people, stating that “The bulk of our people live in the rural areas. Justice will not be done if they are not integrated… I like the concept of people’s ownership.”

The head of State acknowledged that the idea is a great challenge; but with commitment, research and training, coupled with the experience in other countries, the objective is achievable. “It’s unfortunate that I’ll not be there, but Government will be represented at the highest level,” he said, while expressing happiness that the CEO has pledged to put his organization at government’s disposal. “Already changes are happening in the people’s lives because of communication technology. It can only be better when we go to the next level,” the President noted.

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