Ghana eager to tap into Rwanda's ICT know-how
Ghana eager to tap into Rwanda's ICT know-how
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has reportedly offered Ghana's Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia assistance with regards to ICT and best practice implementation.
This followed a meeting between officials from both countries during the Global Business Forum on Africa in Dubai last week.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ghana's Deputy Information Minister, said a formal agreement for Rwandan expertise in reforming Ghana's National Digital Property Addressing System and introducing a paperless port system among others is now imminent.
While Rwanda is often lauded for its achievements in ICT, a Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy Review of Rwanda issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) last week made a recommendation for the country to "bolster the use of technology in sectors beyond information and communication".
"Rwanda's innovation efforts in promoting high-tech sectors, such as ICTs and life sciences, are commendable. However, their outcomes will only be sustainable if improvements are made to innovation performance in the more mundane but essential activities that form the economic backbone of industry and agriculture," says the Report.
Future cooperation with Ghana in ICT satisfies a pledge made by Kagame, in his inaugural address nearly three months ago to work closely with other African countries.
"Government will do its part to increase regional and continental integration and promote the free movement of Africans, while investing in strategic infrastructure and technology," said Kagame after winning the presidential poll with more than 99% of the vote share.
Vincent Sowah Odotei, Deputy Minister for Communications in the Ghanaian government opened an Enhanced Community Information Centre (eCICs) constructed by the Ministry for use by the Nkoranza community in the Brong Ahafo Region a day after meetings with Rwanda were concluded in Dubai.
He says the Enhanced Community Information Centres (eCICs) are to ensure that every community has access to ICT facilities across the country.