The project, which would connect all the 53 nations of the African Union (AU) by a satellite and fiber-optic network, is to provide tele-education, tele-medicine, internet, Nideo-conferencing and VOIP services, and also support e-governance, e-commerce and effective communication among the nations.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communication, commended the Government of India for the various forms of support given to the country, saying that the Pan-African-Network project would strengthen and deepen the friendship between Ghana and India.
Mr Iddrisu also praised the people and government of India for the construction of the Kofi Annan Centre of I.C.T as well as the construction of the Jubilee House and expressed the hope that the universities would utilise the Pan-African E-Network effectively.
Mr Pranab Mukherejee, External Affairs Minister of India, said the government of India was ready to work and strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said that the government of India was happy to continue with the co-operation with the new government in Ghana.
The External Affairs Minister said that, the project was being funded entirely through an Aid to Africa budget for a period of five years, explaining that the setting up of Pan-African Network was part of India’s commitment to socio-economic development in Africa to help the continent bridge the digital divide.
“The Pan-African e-Network can further be expanded to cover services such as resource mapping and meteorological services with minor upgrades,” Mr Mukherejee said.
The Indian Minister said the AU had agreed to prepare a viable business model that would ensure sustainability of the project beyond the period of India’s assistance.
Prof. Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, Vice-Chancellor of University of Ghana, said the Pan-African e-Network project would foster a collaboration between the University of Ghana and Indian universities.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Samuel Amoako Asiamah
Quelle/Source: The Ghanaian Times, 02.03.2009
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