October 1995
USAID awards grant
In its first new grant to the Economic Commission for Africa in 12 years, the United States Agency for International Development in August 1995 awarded a grant in the amount of US$295,000 to PADIS to establish a Greater Horn of Africa electronic communication network. The purpose of the network will be to assist in the strategic coordination of food security and peace issues among member States of the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) and others of the Greater Horn. The purpose of the grant is to promote regional solidarity among the countries of the Greater Horn of Africa, while its objective is to operate an electronic communications network among targeted ministries in East African countries. The targeted ministries are the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, IGADD contact ministries and the IGADD secretariat itself. The plan of action calls for the project beginning with a series of needs' assessment missions to the countries concerned, connection of the communications equipment, training of electronic communication users and operators and operation of the electronic network. The project is expected to begin its activities in January 1996, with the recruitment of a project co-ordinator. |
The partners first came together in the sponsoring of the Regi | Given these resources, it could then continue to serve as
PADIS' focal point in Uganda. Once the projected National Information System (NIS) comes
into existence the focal point could be transferred there. If neither of these two options
come to fruition, then the focal point should be transferred to the National Council for
Science and Technology. Copies of the report of Mr. Inganji's mission are available upon
request from PADIS at the address listed on p.1. Database development
Mr. Lambert J. Hogenhout, Associate Expert at PADIS, visited several institutions in Zambia and Kenya from 10-21 July to deliver advice on database development and collect information for PADIS' projected CD-ROM of African development information. In Zambia Mr. Hogenhout assisted PADIS' subregional information system, the East and Southern Africa Development Information System (ESADIS), in its work with the National Statistics Office of the Government of Zambia in developing statistical databases in economics, agriculture and demographics. He recommended that once implemented, these databases could be distributed on a subregional basis through the Zambia link to the Internet, ZAMNET. |
| Information Technology Ghana joins the 'Net In August 1995 Ghana became the latest African country to have full Internet connectivity in Sub saharan Africa region. The efforts was led by Dr. Nii Quaynor (e-mail: nquaynor @ncs.com.gh) in cooperation with several organizations including Network Computer Systems (NCS), Pipex International, The Ministry of Transport and Communication of Ghana, Ghana Telecom and British Telecom. The liberalization of telecommunications in Ghana was key to the accomplishment. With the Structural Adjustment Program and the the Ghana Government's open economic policy, the telecommunication sector embarked on a program of privatization. NCS received approval from the Ministry of Transport and Communication to offer value added electronic mail and other services to subscribers in Ghana. In 1993, NCS registered the GH.COM domain and identified Pipex as a service provider. The two worked together to establish a commercial service in Ghana. The initial method of connection was by periodic IP dial-up IP to Pipex. The constraint to full connectivity then was the shortage of telephone lines for subscribers. However, since October 1994 Ghana Telecom has been aggressively expanding the national telephone network. This expansion project resulted in the addition of 15,000 lines to Accra exchanges. With the addition of more subscriber lines. NCS applied for the .gh top level domain, and in January NCS began its operations as an Internet Service Provider. The international leased circuit, provided by Ghana Telecom and British Telecom, became operational in August 1995 with a data throughput of 14.4 Kbps, in close collaboration of Pipex. At the time of this writing NCS had more than 160 subscribers with full access to Internet services, including World Wide Web, ftp, and telnet. | The primary mode of connection for dial-up subscribers is PPP
and UUCP. The largest group of subscribers are corporations, followed by the university
sector, government, international organizations, embassies and non-governmental
organizations. NCS plans to extend its operations in 1996 to other cities in Ghana,
including Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale. On the technological front, NCS is exploring
satellite technologies. Radio communication facilities are being reviewed as methods of
expanding regionally. (Thanks to Dr. Nii Quaynor for his contribution of this article). Kenya, too The African Regional Center for Computing (Dr. Shem Ochuodho, Director) acquired a dedicated leased line to Oregon (USA) in October 1995 and joined the growing list of African countries on the Internet. Kenya's connection came with the support of the Overseas Development Agency (UK), the National Science Foundation (USA) and individuals John Sutherland, Peter Hoare (ODA), Steve Goldstein (NSF), Lenore Blum and Randy Bush. Information about Internet in Kenya is available from Dr. Ochuodho, ARCC, P O Box 58638, Nairobi, Kenya; tel. +254 2 726914; fax: +254 2 728 351l; e-mail: shem@arcc.or.ke. New Lifelines Two articles about Africa and the Internet have recently appeared in internationally distributed publications. "New Lifelines" on how the Net is sprouting in Africa and aiding countries with adequate phone systems appeared in Internet World in November 1995. In its issue of 17 November, the New York Times had an article entitled "On the Internet, Africa is Far Behind." Copies are available from PADIS at the address listed on p.1. |
UNESCO Special issue The June/September 1994 (vol. 22, no. 2)
issue of the UNISIST Newsletter of the UNESCO General Information Programme is entitled
"Information and New Technologies in Developing Countries." According to the
Editorial featured in the issue, the new information technologies underline more than ever
the need for countries to adopt "vigorous and objective" information policies.
In the view of UNESCO, the ability to fully exploit these new technologies depends on the
country's ability "to plan a comprehensive information policy and to understand the
strategic dimension of information and its importance in solving problems of high national
priority." Copies of this, and subsequent issues, are available from PGI Newsletter,
Division of the General Information Programme (PGI), 1, rue Miollis, 75732 Paris CEDEX 15,
France; tel: +331 45 68 45 00; fax: +33 1 44 49 00 58. African connectivity A new World Wide Web page on African connectivity created by Koma Bintu Gandy is available at URL http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~kbgandy/africanet.html. FID on Cyberspace The July/August 1995 issue of the FID News Bulletin is a special issue on the theme "Africa in Cyberspace," guest edited by J. Agada and O.J. Jegede. Among the features are a review of the ECA/PADIS Addis Ababa Symposium on Telematics for Development by Mayuri Odedra-Straub, an article by J.Y. Djamen on "Electronic Networking in Africa: Emergence towards the Internet," and by Mike Jensen on "Low Cost Global Electronic Systems for Africa." The text of the ECA Conference of Ministers resolution "Building Africa's Information Highway" is also included. |
| More information on the Bulletin can be obtained from FID, P
O Box 90402, 2509LK The Hague, Netherlands; tel.+ 31 70 31 40 671; fax:+31 70 31 40667;
e-mail: secretariat@fid.nl. FrontDoor tips For users of FrontDoor e-mail systems, PADIS has developed "Tips on Using FrontDoor." Copies are available free of charge from PADIS. Communication Technologies Handbook, 1995 The Handbook on Communications Technology 1995: telecommunications and corporate networking in southern Africa and selected African countries published by BMI Tech Knowledge/International Data Corporation, Southern Africa contains an excellent article entitled "Towards an African Information Infrastructure" by the International Telecommunications Union and in-depth surveys of the telecommunications situation in 16 African countries. Further information on obtaining copies of the handbook is available fom Denis Smit, Johannesburg South Africa, tel. +27 11 803 6412; or fax: +27 11 803 7840. Kenya holds IT Conference Kenya held its first national information technology conference and exhibition at the Kenyatta Conference Center in Nairobi from 29 November through 2 December 1995 on the theme "Information Technology for National Development." |
Among the features of the Conference were meetings of the
African Internet Group and national information technology associations. The Conference
was organized by the African Regional Centre for Computing (ARCC) in collaboration with
the Computer Society of Kenya (CSK). More information about the proceedings is available
from the Director, ARCC, P.O. Box 58638, Nairobi; tel. +254 2 723552; fax: +254 2 72851;
e-mail: : conference@arcc.permanet.org . Information Technology Management The National Centre for Technology Management of Obafemi Awolowo University held an International Conference on Information Technology Management in Lagos from 16-17 November 1995, in collaboration with the Telecommunications Foundation of Africa (TFA) located in Nairobi. The Conference was opened by the former Minister of Communications with a keynote address on "information technology in a de-regulated telecommunications environment." A report of the conference can be obtained by Prof. S.A. Sanni, Executive Director, National Centre for Technology Management (NACEF), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; fax: +234 36 231245; e-mail: ajayi@ictp.trieste.it. ANITEP accomplishments During 1995 the African Network of Information Technology Professionals set up an electronic discussion list, AFRIK-IT, and opened it to the public. The organization also established an Electronic Notice Board, ANITEP-L, and reports that it has members in 37 countries, 25 of which are in Africa. |
One of the group's major projects for 1996 involves
establishment of a working group on the implementation of Electronic Distance Education
(EDE) in African countries. Further information on ANITEP is available from Clement
Dzidonu, ANITEP Coordinator; School of Systems and Data Studies; Trinity College, Dublin
2, Ireland; tel:+ 353 1 6081918; fax:+ 353 1 6615046; e-mail: cdzidonu@stats.tcd.ie. Publications Informations Experts and Institutions UNESCO has prepared the second and third editions, respectively, of International Directories of Institutions and Experts Specialized in Informatics. Each directory has more than 500 entries from 115 countries. Copies can be obtained, free of charge, from CII/PGI, UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex 15; fax: 33-1 45 66 91 33. FID Directory Produced for its centennial (1895-1995), the Directory Update of the International Federation for Information and Documentation is an excellent source of information on information professionals and organizations worldwide. Full information on FID member institutions and individuals is provided, included mailing addresses, faxes and e-mail addresses. The Directory is published and distributed by FID, P O Box 90402, 2509LK The Hague, Netherlands; tel. + 31 70 31 40 671; fax:+31 70 31 40667; e-mail: secretariat@fid.nl. Internet for Librarians Librarians in the 15 or so African countries which are now on the Internet should consider acquiring |
| The Complete Internet Companion for Librarians, by Allen C.
Benson (1995). The aim of the book is to make navigation of the Internet part of the
Librarian's repertoire of working skills. The book is published by Neal-Schuman
Publishers, Inc. 100 Varick Street, New York, New York 10013 USA; tel. +1 212 219 8916;
fax: +1 212 925 8650. Make a date . . . AFCOM, '96 The fifth U.S.-Africa Telecoms, sponsored by the publishers of Africa Communications magazine, will be held from 3-5 June 1996 in Herndon, VA (USA) on the theme "Interconnecting in a Global Village" with emphasis on technology, policy and financing. The Conference will be followed from 6-7 June by a special forum and training seminar on "Global Internet Connectivity," focussing on African connectivity issues. Expected participants are African leaders and chief executives from the public and private sectors in the telecommunications and broadcasting industries in the U.S. and Africa. The objective of the AFCOM conference is to forge closer trade and investment relationships between the U.S. and Africa and to foster development in comunications between various African countries. More details are available from AFCOM International, Inc., 10560 Main Street, suite 510, Fairfax VA 22030 USA; tel. +1 (703) 691-3570; fax +1(703) 691-3572. INET 96 The Internet: Transforming our Society Now is the theme of Inet, '96 to be held in Montreal, Canada from 25-28 June 1996. Expected participants are persons involved in extending the reach and use of Internet networks. |
The Inet '96 Conference will be proceded by a seven-day
Developing Country Workshop, with hands-on emphasis on Internet set up, operations,
maintenance and maintenance. More information by e-mail is available from the address:
workshop-info@isoc.org. Developing country applications can apply by sending e-mail to:
workshop-apply@isoc.org. There is also a two day conference for teachers from kindergarten
through secondary level. Information on this option is available from inet-k23@isoc.org.
Papers are now being solicited. The official language of the conference is English. Those
wishing to have a paper considered for acceptance should send a one-page summary in ASCII
text to: inet-submission@isoc.org. CAAS Conerence 1996 The Canadian Association of African Studies will hold its 1996 Annual Conference in Montreal from 1-5 May, jointly hosted by the Universite de Montreal and by McGill University and parallel to the film festival Vues d`Afrique to be held in Montreal from 25 April 25 through 5 May. The theme of the 1996 Annual Conference of CAAS is Crisis and resilience in Africa. Proposals, whether for panels or paper presentations, on this theme may be sent in. For more information, contact: Prof. John Galaty or /ou Prof. Gilles Bibeau, Canadian Council of Area Studies Learned Societies, Centre d`etudes de l`Asie de l`Est, Universite de Montreal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec. Canada H3C 3J7. |
Southern African Indexers The Association of Southern African Indexers and Bibliographers (ASAIB), the Committee for Bibliographic Control (CBC) of the South African Institute for Librarianship and Information Science (SAILIS) and the State Library of South Africa have started planning |
| to hold a seminar on bibliographic control for Southern Africa Development Conference (SADC) countries in September 1996. The seminar will try to take stock of bibliographic control activities in the subregion, assess the state, currency and coverage of the tools and databases that are being produced, and identify gaps and opportunities for collaboration and raise the awareness of bibliographic control among decision-makers in the SADC secretariat and SADC member countries. More information on the seminar is available from Dr. Peter Lor, Director, The State Library, P O Box 397, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; e-mail: pjlor@statelib.pwv.gov.za; tel.+2712 / 012 21 8931; fax +2712 / 012 325 5984. News and Notes IDAMS The Eighth Consultation of the International Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) for UNESCO IDAMS software took place in Paris from 25-28 September 1995. IDAMS is the UNESCO-developed programme for statistical management of numeric data, which works along with ISIS for management of textual databases. Convened by IDAMS Programme Manager Peter Hunya of the UNESCO Division of the General Information Programme, the discussion centred on IDAMS 4 which features an improved user interface. Distribution of IDAMS version 4.0 with English user manual and English data base of IDAMS text will start early 1996. The French version will be available later in 1996. A Unix version is coming, as well as a data import/export facility. Priority will be given over the next two years to regional training in Africa on IDAMS and ISIS. Two regional training seminars will be organized during 1996-1997, with ECA to be contacted in this regard. The current version is of IDAMS runs under MS/DOS with a Local Area Network version available. | More information on IDAMS is available from UNESCO, 7, Place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP France. Fac +33 1 45 67 16 90. CDS/ISIS in Archives The National Archives of Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau are jointly hosting a pilot project of the use of CDS/ISIS in archives, which includes the provision of equipment and staff training. The report which will be prepared on the experiences of the project can be obtained from Mr. Axel Plathe, CII/PGI, UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex 15; tel. +33-1 45 68 67; fax: +33-1 44 49 00 58. UNESCO on the Internet Much of UNESCO's information base is now available on the Internet, including its press releases, directories of databases, general and cultural information, including colour graphics of art works at UNESCO headquarters. The chapers of the UNESCO information server comprise: About UNESCO, Current Events, Programmes, Publications, Databases and Software, Documentation Services and UNESCO Products. The information can be accessed at: gopher.unesco.org or (for WWW users): Http://unesco.org. Montreal/IPD Cooperation The Library and Information Science School of the University of Montreal and the Pan African Development Institute (IPD) at Ouaagadougou, Burkina Faso have received a grant from the International Development Research Centre to undertake a joint project of research and training in management and marketing of information systems and services. | Beginning with action-oriented research, the project aims to
develop training in management and marketing of information systems and services adapted
to the Africa milieu and needs. More information on the project is available from Prof.
Rejean Savard, Library and Information Science School of the University of Montreal, C.P.
6128, succursale A, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 3J7; tel.+1(514) 343-7408; +1(514)
343-5753. List on information science A listserv discussion group for library and
information science students has been established to discuss all aspects of the
profession, Internet resources in the field, funding opportunities for study among other
subjects. To join, send an e-mail message to maiser@libris.lib.warwick.ac.uk, with a blank
subject line and the message in the text: "subscribe LISSPS [your name]." CDS/ISIS aid A tool to make the use of CDS/ISIS easy has been published by UNESCO. Written by Isabella Cache and Louis Lohle-Tart, Handling CDS/ISIS: Leaning the basic notions of CDS/ISIS information retrieval software systems is designed for newcomers who want a nearly painless entry to its use. It is available from UNESCO Press Commercial Services, 7, Place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP France; tel. +33 1 45 68 45 64; fax: +33 1 42 733 007. Fellowship opportunities Grants for librarians Librarians from academic or research libraries anywhere in the world can apply for the Cooperative Research Program grants to enhance librarians' research skills, promote better communication |
| PADIS Calendar October-December 1995 2-10 October - Dar es Salaam Mission to Tanzania on electronic communications connectivity for Inter-governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) countries 11-13 October- Kampala IGADD workshop on strengthening library and documentation centres 15-23 October- Lagos and Accra Advisory services mission to OAU/SRTC and Association of African Universities, Accra 24-27 October- Nazareth, Ethiopia Workshop on information collection in the electronic era 2-3 November- Accra Consultative meeting on science and technology information at African universities 7-8 November- Abidjan Reseau African de recherche et de formation en Communication (RESAREC) meeting 5-9 November- Cairo Visit to Egyptian Cabinet Information and Decision Support Centre 12-13 November- Cairo First meeting of the High Level Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies in Africa 13-24 November- Addis Ababa Training course on computerized documentation techniques for documentalists from the UNDP Djibouti office and some institutions in Ethiopia 13-17 November- Cairo Sub-committee meetings, Standing Committee on the Harmonization and Standardization of Information and Documentation Systems in Africa 27-29 November- Paris The Committee for International Cooperation in National Research in Demography (CICRED) Population Thesaurus meeting 4-6 December- Kigali Mission on IGADD electronic communications connectivity. 6-21 December- Libreville and Brazzaville Needs assessment and advisory services mission on electronic connectivity 11-14 December- Dakar AFRISTECH'95, Policy workshop on "Science, technological and African regional integration" | PADIS in Maputo PADIS attended the Regional Workshop on Agricultural Information and Documentation Networks in Maputo from 24-28 July 1995. Sponsored by the the Southern African Centre for Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Training (SACCAR), the objective of the meeting was to explore ways by which efficient and sustainable agricultural documentation and information networks could be established in the Southern African Development Conference region, taking into account the diversity of national agricultural and documentation information situation. To this end, a Southern African Agricultural Information Network (SAAINET) was proposed. PADIS presented a paper on its experience in developing databases. PADIS was represented by Mr. Saddik Solbi, Systems Development Officer. | PADIS in Harare PADIS was invited to attend the American Association for the Advancement of Science "Workshop on enhancing African coverage in international databases" held in Harare from 4-5 August 1995. The current situation of low level representation of African material in international databases was surveyed and recomendations made to increase it as well as to increase African access to these databases. PADIS' representative at the meeting was Mr. Saddik Solbi. |
| between librarians and teaching faculty and facilitate research on library operations. The grants of up to $4000 are made annually, with a deadline for applications of 1 November. Further information is available from the Cooperative Research Program, Council on Library Resources, 1400 16th Street, N.W., Suite 510, Washington D.C. 20036-2217 USA; tel. +1 202 483-7474; fax: +1 202 483-6410. Doctoral dissertation grants Doctoral candidates in librarianship from Africa are eligible to apply for the Association of College and Research Libraries Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, which is intended to promote research in academic librarianship. Application is by means of a proposal describing the research, its significance and methodology. The annual due date for the fellowships is 1 December, and the limit of the grant US$1000. Further details are available from Cheryl Bernero, Association of College and Research Libraries, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago IL 60611 USA; tel.: + 1 312 280 2510; fax: + 312 280 2520. | Measuring information impact (Continued from page 1) information make a difference in probem solving and decision making? How can this be shown and measured? What actions can be shown to occur as a result of information provision? PADIS was represented by Dr. Nancy Hafkin who made a joint presentation with Dr. Michel Menou (principal investigator) on the CABECA studies of the impact of electronic connectivity on development in Africa. The presentation has been published by IDRC, along with the proceedings of the meeting, in its volume entitled ,"Measuring the Impact of Information on Development: case studies." |
| Entries in PADdev | ||
| The following are some recent entries into the PADdev bibliographic data base on social and economic aspects of development in Africa. Microfiches or photocopies of the documents are available upon request from PADIS at the address shown on p.1. ECA.Transport Communications and Tourism Division, Addis Ababa, ET. Efforts in compilation and harmonization of transport statistics: a regional data base approach. 11p. 27 Oct 1994. DOC.NO. ECA/STAT/SDB.5a(ii)/94/4 Describes ECA's efforts in establishing a transport data base. Emphasizes discussions among seminar participants on how best transport statistics problems can be solved. /Transport statistics*/, /data base/, /ECA/, /Africa/. ISN: 10853 ECA, Addis Ababa, ET. Sustainable human development: suggestions for regional initiatives. 106p. 1995. | Highlights some regional initiatives in the field of human development which will enhance complementarity and regional cooperation. Overviews the socio-economic and political situation in Africa emphasizing the debt issue, the rise in commodity prices and the economic and social impact of the continuing cycle of conflicts and natural disasters on the continent. Provides a summary of the major socio-economic problems in Africa with suggestions for programmes emphasizing preventive action and describes human resources development for UNECA's activities in information systems development. /Economic conditions*/, /social conditions*/, /human resources/, /PADIS/, /ECA/, /Africa/. ISN: 1085 Boachie-Danquah, Y. (University of Ghana, Legon GH) Public Sector Management Studies/ECA.Public Administration, Human Resources and Social Development Division, Addis Ababa, ET. Public enterprise reforms and privatization- the experience of Ghana. 38p. refs. Dec 1994. Addis Ababa, ET, 5-9 Dec 1994 | Highlights the historical evolution of public enterprise in the Ghanaian economy and objectives of the public enterprise reform programme. Discusses the institutional framework for the divestiture and public enterprise restructuring and the impact of the reforms on the structure, management, efficiency and cost of public enterprises. Explains how restructuring and privatization programmes reduced the size of and employment in the public enterprises and the impact of downsizing the public enterprise sector on the production, quantity and quality of services delivered. /Public enterprises*/, /privatization/, /economic structure/, /economic reform/, /employes/, /Ghana/. ISN: 10856 |