This was the view of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Joel Kaapanda in a speech at the opening of the seventh Telecom Namibia ICT Summit 2013 under the theme "ICT - New Horizons" on Tuesday.
"Whilst Namibia has grown its ICT sector over the years, we must continue leveraging technological innovations to create new strengths, and equip ourselves for the next phase of ICT development. In line with our NDP4, adequate ICT infrastructure should be in place by 2017 to facilitate economic development and competitiveness through innovation, research and development," said Kaapanda.
The minister said the government has recognised ICT as building blocks of economic growth, and the country's ICT Policy with respect to Namibia's Vision 2030 is to position ICT as a driver of the national socio-political and economic development and increased democracy, especially that of democratising information, and economic growth.
ICT has been shown to have developmental applications in education, governance, environmental monitoring, health, human rights' promotion, economic growth and other areas.
"The desired economic development benefits, therefore, extend well beyond potential economic growth and wealth-creation. For example, ICT can enable better access to Government services, increased quantity and quality of training opportunities, a balancing of gender inequalities in access to opportunities and the improved delivery of quality health services," he said.
The minister said technological convergence taking place in the ICT field globally has also opened numerous horizons, which are rapidly transforming the way people work, live, play and most importantly - the way people relate to one another.
"I believe all of this provides us with a chance of creating a better Namibia, especially to address poverty alleviation and human development. It is evident that new technologies favour no geographical space, social class, economic background, educational achievement, age, gender and political affiliations. It is in this very unique nature of new technologies that its greatest strength lies," said Kaapanda. The summit ended yesterday.
---
Quelle/Source: AllAfrica, 09.08.2013
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
