General News of Friday, 27 August 2004

Source: GNA

Ghana, Togo to enhance communication flow

Accra, Aug. 27, GNA - Ghana and Togo on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to share common communication infrastructure to facilitate information flow between the two countries. Mr Kan Daapah, Minster of Communication and Technology signed on behalf of Ghana, while Mr Faure Gnassingbe, Minister of Equipment, Mines, Port and Telecommunication for Togo initialled on behalf his country. The MOU would allow Togo to have direct communication link with Ghana and also enable that country to use Ghana's submarine cable (SAT 3), which lie under the sea.

Mr Daapah said the MOU would ensure the closing of the international communication digital divide that had existed between the two countries.

Consequently, a local infrastructure between the two countries would be developed and Togo would be allowed to purchase communication equipment at a low cost from Ghana.

He called for more communication infrastructure exchange within ECOWAS to improve information flow in the West African sub region. Mr Daapah said the MOU would help establish international roaming facilities in the Togo and Ghana to ensure for more corporation the two countries though Energy and Communication.

He said: " From now onwards, I believe that one does not need to make a call to France before he is connected to Togo".

The Togolese Minister, who is also responsible for Post and Communication, commended the Government of Ghana for signing the agreement and expressed the hope the entire sub-region would benefit from the accord.