The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), in conjunction
with the Tanzanian Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology
and the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority will be holding
the sixth annual Connecting Rural Communities Africa Forum in Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania on 24 – 26 August 2011. With a milieu of ICT
organisations such as Ericsson and Helios Towers Nigeria, the event
promises to be an engaging forum in identifying regulatory, technical,
financial and social challenges in providing connectivity in Africa.
Following the success of the 2010 CRC Forum in Africa, the conference
now in its 6th year, is expected to also highlight opportunities for
investment as well as discussing key issues and development strategies
towards improving community engagement by examining the development of
ICT’s in rural and remote areas of Africa.
Speaking about the challenges faced by African countries on extending
ICT connectivity to rural areas, Chief Operating Officer of the CTO Mr
Bashir Patel, stated that “The CRC Africa Forum has become an
important platform for capacity building, knowledge sharing,
partnership development and collaboration between policy makers,
regulators, operators, technology providers and other stakeholders to
better address the developmental issues surrounding rural connectivity
in the region.”
Dr Edmund Katiti, Head of E Africa Programme NEPAD, also noted “Rural
communications is the most important area for development of ICT on
the continent today, and this is reflected in the current discussion
of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). CRC
will give policy makers another opportunity to deliberate on the
issues. I am looking forward to the event.”
Other distinguished speakers and panellists from the conference are to include:
Dr Florens M. Turuka, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Communications,
Science and Technology, Tanzania,
Hon Prof Makame Mnyaa Mbarawa, Minister for Communication, Science and
Technology Tanzania,
Prof John Nkoma, Director General TCRA, Tanzania,
Mr Paarock Essuman Vanpercy, Director General, NCA, Ghana,
Mr Kofi Attor, CEO GIFEC.
READ Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah’s Speach at the 2011 United Nations and
Africa Public Service Forum
——http://www.cto.int/