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NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP ON DRAFT e-GOVERNMENT STRATEGY FOR THE GAMBIA
Banjul, 20-21 October 2003
DECLARATION
Recognizing the important role information and communication technologies (ICTs) play in facilitating the attainment of development goals and encouraging the diffusion and utilization of information technologies in Africa and enhancing the entry of the continent into the global information society, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) launched the African Information Society Initiative (AISI), which serves as a guiding framework for building the information and communication infrastructure in Africa. Since the launch of AISI, ECA has been supporting member States to embark on the development of National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI) policies, strategies and plans which are instrumental to implement the global visions enshrined in the AISI at national level and to create conducive environment for liberalisation and deregulation of the Telecommunication sector. Since the elaboration of national ICT strategies helps countries address sectoral development challenges, it is imperative that member States demonstrate readiness to commit their scarce resources and foster ownership of the process. Thus far over 28 countries in the continent have embarked, in one form or the other, on the development of national ICT strategies and more countries have expressed interest to join the initiative. Some of them have started developing sectoral strategies including e-government. In this framework, The Gambia was included among the countries, which have decided to implement AISI.
A memorandum of understanding between The Gambia and ECA was developed, where The Gambia was recommended to be an “AISI e-government model” to start an e-government pilot programme. ECA was also requested to develop the e-government strategy and coordinate resource mobilisation for the implementation of the strategy.
Accordingly, a nationwide baseline study was undertaken in July 2003 in order to assess the situation in the country in relation to e-government related activities and available infrastructure and technical Support (e-government Readiness). The survey report was discussed and adopted at the validation workshop held on 17th October 2003.
NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP
Based on the recommendations of the Baseline study and as per the MoA a National Consultative Workshop was held in Banjul on 20-21 October 2003 to discuss various issues regarding the draft strategy for the e-Government programme in The Gambia. The workshop was held in The Kairaba Beach Hotel and attended by various stakeholders from a cross section of sectors including Government departments, Private and Public enterprises, institutions and NGOs.
The workshop was officially declared open by the H.E. Madam Isatou Njie-Saidy, the Vice President of The Gambia on 20th October. The workshop participants were divided into four working groups to discuss the following themes:
1. ICT EQUIPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
2. NETWORK, IT SECURITY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK
3. WEB DEVELOPMENT, PORTALS/ GOVT-PUBLIC INTERFACE, APPLICATIONS
4. ICT HRD, TRAINING
These issues were discussed in length by the respective groups and the workshop came up with activities, target dates and related policy recommendations which will guide the development of the e-Government strategy for the country. The Hon. Secretary of State overseeing the Dept of State for Communications, Information and Technology delivered the closing speech of the workshop.
Issued in Banjul, dated 23rd October 2003.
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