Bamako 2002 Conference SOMMET MONDIAL SUR LA SOCIETE DE L'INFORMATION CONFERENCE REGIONALE AFRICAINE (Bamako 28-30 mai 2002) K. OFOSU-ADAKWA The Genesis of the Terminology global Information Society In the past the use of the word "global" gave an indication of a world setting with distinctive barriers and frontiers. In this regard the economic, political, social and cultural structures that shaped the relations of people in whatever given area were seen as unique and peculiar to each given society. In recent times however, the idea that we are living in a "bordeless" (global) world has emerged. BASIS Over the last two decades there has been a dramatic shift from the "stand-alone" concept on the globe to a concept of networked information and processes. The world economy, in following suit has also changed dramatically, developing from an agricultural society to an information society. Implicitly it can also be stated that there has been a transformation from an 'industrial' to a "knowledge" era. In the light of this a new world order code-named Global Information Society (GIS) is becoming a common term of reference and a common target for both government and business at world level. WHAT ARE THE DRIVING FORCES Liberalisation of markets and advances in technology are creating a new order of
business opportunities and competition. This process of content digitalisation is thus resulting in the convergence of information processing, communication and media. In that regard new areas of knowledge and technology are created when boundaries between the internet, information technology, telecommunications and media sectors are erased. It can therefore be concluded that the new industrial production cycles developing are driven by three major factors namely:- · Information As a necessity for individual and collective success in the new society, there should therefore be the ability to collect and use information. There should be the ability to match the advance in wireless internet, broadband technology and positioning systems with the view to creating innovative solutions that open up new business opportunities. THE REALITIES OF THE NEW ECONOMY a. Role of Telecom · Effective telecom platform has become the determining factor of economic and social structures. · Production, processing and distribution of information from an efficient platfom has become very important economic activities, leading to increase share in employment and output.
· Various hardware and software are being applied to reduce cost of service, and improve quality of service to promote competitive advantage.
b. The Role of Information · The conveyance of information from various sources has improved.
c. The Role of Computers · Routine communications functions are disappearing as these functions are automated via computer. · Networks demand new skills in computer application. · Innovativeness brings about competitive advantage and wealth creation. d. Social Impact · Education and training systems improving with the introduction of distance learning tools · Electronic referenda and electoral campaign emerging in the political field. DRAWBACK/CHALLENGES FACED BY SOME MEMBER COUNTRIES(AFRICA) Infrastructure Global Information Society will be based on global information infrastructure which will act as the platform for the convergence of telecom, broadcasting and computer technology. This notwithstanding the fact is that many African countries, including Ghana do not have the basic technology to promote broadband accessibility. The question that Africa can pose to the developed world in Africa's position paper, is how do we move towards a global sharing of infrastructure? · Is there the possibility that the control of software by the ICT developed countries can be liberalised to benefit Africa? The case of India entering into co-operation with Ghana is a good reference point to enable Africa press for more of such co-operation from the ICT giants. · How do we in africa get access to high transmission capacity. Perhaps we can campaign for a flexible bandwidth arrangement. · Is it not possible under ITU direction that open architecture system is promoted so that they can easily be assessed. · The advent of ICT has neutralised the so-called notion of "job-for life". As new skills are needed to take over automated work there is bound to be a great gap between skilled communication experts and clerical job performers.
· Health care will continue to elude our rural folks in Africa if we don't request for a unified approval, with the intervention of ITU, to have model eHealth projects in African countries to serve the specialised health needs of the rural populace. · Illiteracy is high on the African continent and it is only when we have our fair share of multimedia tools for learning that we in Africa can close the gap in learning. · The former world order made it possible for the content of the culture of a particular people to be homogenous. With the new world order broadcasting via direct satellite system and accessibility to the internet etc have become the order of the day. The cultural identity of the African is thus under threat if Africa in the face of a globalisation is not able to get its fair share of "air time" to market its culture elsewhere. The tilt of cultural expression is from the developed world to the developing countries. Africa needs to fight to reverse this trend. This is the reason why there is the need to consider the use of dominant Africa languages on the internet.
From a world of sovereign nations states the world is now moving towards a direction of a borderless world via ICT.
This can be achieved if existing agreement on universal accessibility, standards etc are respected by the great majority of the members of the society. After all global information society implies shared global vision and commitment. The foregoing points may be considered to influence discussions.
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