Information and communications technology is one of the important ways to boost the country’s economy during the post-Ebola recovery, says Antonio Caramba-Coker, member of Growth Access Solution.
She was speaking during a Private Sector Resilience, Recovery and Resurgence workshop hosted at the Sierra Lighthouse Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown last week. She noted that efficient and effective delivery of government services through e-Government initiatives could potently benefit business and reduce costs.
Madam Caramba-Coker admitted that they are faced with challenges in regulation and cost of internet, and noted: “ICT poses a challenge in terms of human resource management, especially in an environment such as Sierra Leone.”
Regarding the purpose of the workshop, Madam Caramba-Coker said it was intended to contribute to the post-Ebola recovery process, as well as to ascertain whether part of the pathway towards building economic foundations for peace through inclusive jobs and growth may lie in the Ebola virus disease.
Minister of Information and Communications, Alhaji Alpha Kanu, who delivered the keynote address, said the fundamental impediment in the ICT sector was coordination from the various actors.
“My ministry is ready to provide the enabling environment for all actors in this sector in order to achieve quality and sustainable development. ICT is very pivotal in the governance of any state,” he said.
Dr. Kathryn Nwajiaku from the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding opined that legitimate politics fosters inclusive settlements and conflict resolution, and that responsible business and investment was critical to building peace in a fragile environment.
Source: Concord Times
