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of existing Public Internet Access Points (PIAPs), reducing the
digital divide, by encouraging the youth to set up computer clubs
aimed at encouraging their interest in IT-related fields and provide
online access to express their needs.
A commitment to universal access is the cornerstone of efforts to
reach out to include everyone in the information economy and is a
first step in bridging the digital divide. A funding mechanism to
meet the cost of universal access has to be discussed and
negotiated by the telecoms regulator and/or the government
department/ministry responsible for this. Operators should
contribute to the cost of rolling out access as part of their
obligations under the licensing agreements they have signed with
the local regulatory authority of the government.
3.9 Institutional Arrangements for Driving the
ICT Policy
Kenya and Ghana have established CCK and NCA respectively as
the sector ICT regulator just like Comparing Korea, Canada,
Australia, Singapore and Malaysia with (. The regulator is an
independent, credible, and effective quasi-government body
whose functions are to regulate and monitor the ICT sector and
foster competition through the issuance of licenses to operators
and franchise holders. The regulator was established as part of the
Government Policy reforms in the communication sector for both
the countries with the aim of improving the availability of the
info-communications services to the public as well as to allow
new players into the market. Both CCK and NCA reports to the
line Ministry in their respective countries.
Furthermore, institutional arrangements for ICT policy
implementations should consider the participation of both public
and private sector and functional linkages between different key
institutions should feature clearly in the policy.
4. FORMULATION PROCESS OF KENYA
AND GHANA ICT POLICY
4.1 Kenya National ICT Policy Formulation
Process
Kenya developed its ICT policy as part of ICT for Economic
Growth (2006) to represent the nation’s vision in the information
age [14]. The aspirations set included Recovery Strategy for
Wealth Creation and Employment as well as Poverty Reduction.
The move to develop a national ICT policy was triggered off by
three key and mutually reinforcing factors namely the fast and
haphazard growth of information technology that lacked direction
and regulation; the desire to develop the national ICT policy
guidelines to steer development of ICTs in the country to address
the disorder; and the readiness of UNESCO to fund the process.
The development of a policy for the deployment of ICT for socialeconomic
development in Kenya began in mid nineties. The
policy is based on four guiding principles: infrastructure
development, human resource development, stakeholder
participation and appropriate policy and regulatory framework.
The challenge is to harness the potential of ICTs for economic
growth and poverty reduction [14].
4.1.1 Kenya ICT Policy Framework
In order to identify and address the critical factors for the success
of the policy formulation and plan development process, and
eventual ICT implementation process, extensive consultation with
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KENYA ICT POLICY FRAMEWORK: Tiered approach to
sector management
various institutions and organizations were conducted based on a
Kenya opted for a tied framework with the policy instrument driving legal and regulatory aspects as
3 tiered approach to sector management, figure 2 [14].
Increasing level Specificity
illustrated on first diagram.
Instrument
Policy &Vision-Policy
Guidelines
Regulation Framework-
KCA 98
Regulations-KCR 2001
Operator License
Source of Authority
Stakeholder-
Minister/Citizen
Parliament
Minister
Regulator
Figure 2: Kenya’s IT Policy Framework
4.1.2 KENYA ICT Policy ICT POLICY Institutional FRAMEWORK Support Framework
Institutional Positioning
Policy
Formulation
Regulation
Service
Operation
Consumers
Ministry for Communication
Communications
Commission of Kenya
Arbitration
Advisory
Legislature-Parliamentary Committee
on Public Works, Energy and Communications
National Communications
Secretariat
Appeals Tribunal
Content oo
Universal Access
Universal Access Fund
Service Providers, Telecoms, ISP Broadcasters ,Vendors
Figure 3: Kenya’s IT Policy Institutional Framework
4.1.3 ICT policy development process
Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment
Creation gave birth to “Investment Program for the Economic
Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation 2003-
2007 (IP-ERS)”, released in May 2004. The consultations
followed a three-tier approach at the national, provincial and
district levels with stakeholders that included the Private Sector,
Civil Society, Development Partners and local communities. This
approach led to the formation of a National Steering Committee of
stakeholders charged with the responsibility of spearheading
consultations and ensuring inclusion at all levels; and chaired by
Minister of Information and Communication. Also involved in the
process were Kenya's development partners; civil society
representatives and government officials. The government has
implemented ICT policy reforms between 1999 and 2006 which
resulted in a number of structural changes in the ICT sector.
Several policy documents were released at intervals namely in
January 1997, April 1999, and Dec 2001.
4.1.4 ICT Cardinal Pillars
The Cardinal Pillars of the Kenya policy are: 1) education and
Training 2) new opportunities 3) marketing networking and
promotion 4) recruitment and retention 5) market intelligence and
research 6) business support and investment.
4.2 Ghana National ICT Policy Formulation
Process
Ghana developed its ICT policy [8] for Accelerated Development
(ICT4AD) process led by the Economic Commission for Africa
(ECA) within the context of the African Information Society
Initiative (AISI). To the benefactor countries, the initiative served
as a framework for a radical socioeconomic transformation of the
countries through the deployment and exploitation of ICTs within
the context of the challenges of the globalization and Information