ICT serves as backbone to national development: Commonwealth Connects Chair

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) must be instrumental to a country’s national development by serving as a tool that makes the delivery of services, particularly public services, more efficient and cost-effective, said the new Chairperson of Commonwealth Connects, Dr Salomão Manhiça.

He was addressing the Commonwealth Connects Steering Committee meeting at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, on 14 November 2008 after being appointed as Chair by the Commonwealth Secretary-General in September this year.

Commonwealth Connects promotes ICT programmes to bridge the digital divide among the 53 member states of the Commonwealth.

Dr Manhiça cited the success of his country, Mozambique, which has been able to advance public service delivery through the use of ICT. He said more can be achieved through stronger collaboration among Commonwealth countries and deeper partnerships with the private sector and other international organisations to further the goals of narrowing the gap between countries and communities that have access to ICT and those that do not.

“Let us work to bridge the digital divide; let us create functional partnerships; let us create the right environment for ICT-wealthy countries to share their wealth with developing and ICT-poor countries, thus increasing tele-density and ICT infrastructure, penetration and development opportunities. ICTs are no longer viewed as the privilege of the elected few, but a right for the people,” stressed Dr Manhiça, who is also the Director of Mozambique’s ICT Policy Implementation Technical Unit.

His view was shared by the newly appointed Deputy Chair of Commonwealth Connects, Kiran Karnik.

Mr Karnik said political will and infrastructure are key factors in the development of ICT, and noted that more and more leaders and policy-makers around the world have recognised that ICT is a tool that can be used for democratisation and optimisation of processes or profits.

The Indian national, who previously served as President of the IT Industry Association of India from 2001-2008, also serves as Chair of the Strategic Advisory Committee of Commonwealth Connects.

“ICT facilitates access to information which enables better decision-making. It serves as an efficiency enhancer so that things can be done more cost-effectively. ICT also promotes greater transparency and accountability, which enhances good governance,” stated Mr Karnik.

Secretariat Links:

• Commonwealth Connects