Telecom think tank established in Accra

Accra (Greater Accra), 5 March, '99 -

African Telecommunication experts at the end of a three day conference in Accra have decided to form a Telecom Think Tank, to promote regional telecom institutions. It will also serve as a forum for the exchange of information and provide solutions to problems for the accelerated development of telecommunication on the continent . The conference was organised by Spectrum International and the Ministry of Communication for stakeholders in the industry including network operators and decision makers. It was under the theme, ''Beyond privatisation, what are the realities of effective telecom delivery.'' Some of the topics treated were, the liberalised telecom environment, telecom privatisation ,satellites and options for rural telecommunication It brought together 200 experts from 30 African and five other countries. Mr Shola Taylor, Cordinator of the Think Tank, noted that by pooling their resources, Africans professionals in the telecom sector can make a positive impact on the development of the continent. He said the group will produce periodicals and reports that will enhance telecommunication. Mr John Mahama, Minister for Communication, who closed the conference said the liberalisation of the sector is in the right direction. He expressed the hope that the issues they discussed would go a long way to improve the poor telecom delivery system in Africa.