Hon. Jeremiah Sulunteh, Minister of Posts & Telecommunications has set Friday, September 25, 2009 to finalize Liberia’s ICT & Telecom Policy.

Minister Sulunteh said while the draft policy has gone through several stages of formulation, a final exercise based on broad consultations is essential to make the process holistic as well as to fulfill best practice in the formulation of national document.

“Series of activities have been scheduled to graduate the process to the needed completion point”, he pointed out. “Inputs, comments and suggestions through several websites where the draft policy document is posted will justify this final phase of the consultations. Stakeholders such as sector experts, development partners and the general public are encouraged to participate in the process from August 4-15, 2009.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry has identified the following websites to host the draft document as well as to serve as links for input submission.They include the Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications, (www.mopt.gov.lr) and (www.tlcafrica.com;).

The Ministry has further disclosed that a one day forum co-chaired by the Ministry of Planning & Economic Affairs with public sector actors, service providers, civil society organizations, development partners as well as with representative of institutions of higher learning will climax the consultations process in Monrovia on Wednesday September 16, 2009.

Prior to the September 16 forum, Minister Sulunteh said, a nationwide consultation that will solicit inputs from local government officials and other citizens residing outside Monrovia will also take place from August 17 to August 24.

Minister Sulunteh underscored that the consultation process will help strengthen the mandate of the 5-year policy that seeks to create the enabling environment to foster national and global connectivity. The policy, he said, also seeks to accelerate the provision of access in deprived and underserved areas, linking people to places and institutions to institutions.

“The ICT component of the policy is also a framework of critical essence in our national transformation process. It covers all aspects of our growth and development and is therefore required to be fully integrated in every major project undertaken in Liberia, be it in the private or public area as of the date Cabinet endorses this document. Minister Sulunteh then encouraged all concerned to make their contributions to the policy drafting process as the document is expected to drive the growth and development of Liberia’s ICT and Telecommunication sector over the next five years, 2009-2013.

Inputs should be addressed to the Assistant Minister of Telecommunications     

 at  dztitus@mopt.gov.lr

See National ICT & Telecom Draft