Stakeholders Define the Gambia’s e-strategy
By Mercy Wambui, Communication Officer, ECA
09 June 2005

In collaboration with the Department of State for Communication, Information and Technology (DOCIT) of the Government of The Gambia, the Development Information Services Division (DISD) held a 2-day stakeholders’ workshop on "Building an Inclusive Information Society in the Gambia" from 6 to 7 June 2005 in Banjul.

The workshop was held in the context of ECA’s e-Policy Resource Network for Africa (ePolnet), which has been set up with support from the Government of Canada to provide expertise, guidance and advise to African countries that are implementing national e-strategies.

The aim of the workshop was two-fold: enhancing awareness and understanding of the country's national e-strategy, known as the National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI) policy and plan, among various stakeholder groups and engaging them in discussions on how to actively participate in the NICI process, through the establishment of stakeholders' networks. More than 50 participants were in attendance, included parliamentarians, media, women and the youth.

In his opening remarks, the Gambia’s Speaker of the House, Mr. Sheriff Dibba hailed the timeliness of the workshop and encouraged the participants "to meet the challenge of crafting high quality networks and to further register the Gambia as a major building block in an inclusive African Information Society."

He added, "The Government will strive to consolidate the gains achieved by providing the necessary regulatory environment and resources at its disposal for sustainability".

Four stakeholders’ networks were established, with respective plans of action aimed at successful implementation of the Gambia’s NICI policy and plan.

Commenting on the success of the workshop, Mr. George Christensen of the Gambia’s Radio 1 FM said, "this is the first time media and other stakeholders, such as members of the National Assembly, have been involved as stakeholders in the implementation of the national ICT policy and plan". He pointed out that the immediate challenge of Gambia's media is awareness building and capacity-building of journalists who should be able to report on the emerging Information Society issues.

The workshop concluded with a statement by the Secretary of State for Communication, Information and Technology, Mr. Amadou S. Janneh who expressed satisfaction with the commitments expressed by each stakeholder group.

For more information on this process, please contact Mr. Thierry Amoussougbo (tamoussougbo@uneca.org) or Ms. Atsuko Okuda (aokuda@uneca.org)

Information on ECA’s e-strategies and NICI policies and plans can be found at http://www.uneca.org/aisi/nici/