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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Runway inflation?
by aki 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Jazz, Phares, Many thanks for your inputs so far. It been great reading. The government has do something about the inflation or face a situation where we just became a very expensive country on the continent. It will then have to deal with a roller-coaster effect , that is price increase means less revenue as people will stop buying. So the revenue being collected so far will further reduce with a NEGATIVE TREND. Electricity costs sky rocket, a negative trend to come? There will be millions of people looking for alternate energy to cutting costs or just use electricity for bare essentails. This will cause a shortfall in collection targets. Will the power company be back in square one, i.e price increase leads to more lost revenue? So what excatly is the government doing about it? What measures has it put in place? Whether bad policies or bad decisions, the current state of inflation is un-acceptable. Passing the buck to citizens is not an option or asking citizens to dig deeper into their pockets is not a solution.

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First steps towards a global ICT profession
by waudo siganga 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Dear All - attachment from IFIP/Australia Computer Society for your interest. On Tue, 9 Sep 2008 10:35:22 +0200, "Eduard Dundler" <eduard.dundler@ifip. org> said: Dear IFIP members, may I ask you to release the attached Press Release about the latest development in IP3 to your PR contacts. Best regards Eduard Dundler ========================================= Eduard Dundler Head of IFIP Secretariat International Federation for Information Processing Tel.: +43 2236 73 616 10 Fax: +43 2236 73 616 e-mail: [1]eduard.dundler(a)ifip.org ========================================= References 1. mailto:eduard.dundler@ifip.org People make a plan work, a plan alone seldom makes people work (Confucius).

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[Fwd: [Aaw-network] The Info-Activism Camp]
by alice 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

========== Are you interested in using mobile phones to reach out to your community but don't know how? Do you produce reports full of crucial data but feel like the right people aren't reading them? Do you know that using the internet and mobile phones for your advocacy work can create security vulnerabilities but don't know how to protect yourself against them? Do you want to learn how to use digital advocacy to create change? If your answer is yes, then read on....and be a participant at our Info-Activism Camp! The Info-Activism camp will bring together 120 rights advocates from the global South with technologists, designers and activists for a week long hands-on workshop to share skills, tools and tactics in digital advocacy. Info-Activism is an approach to advocacy that recognises the artful use of information and communications as a primary tactic in successful campaigns. The camp provides a space for intensive learning and doing, a structured 'skill-share' environment for experienced advocates that will give them the confidence and know-how to leverage the limited resources they have to create greater impact. During the week, participants will learn how to creatively integrate new technologies in to their advocacy and create long lasting connections with other advocates and tech-activists. The camp will give rights advocates the practical skills, tools and techniques to use technology to: * Gather and analyse information and facilitate evidence- based campaigning * Create and disseminate targeted, accessible and engaging information for advocacy efforts that have impact on targets and mobilise support * Increase participation from affected communities * Enable cooperation and coordination with allies * Minimise security and privacy vulnerabilities The Info-Activism Camp is organised by Tactical Tech and will be held in India, February 2009. Tactical Tech is an international NGO helping rights advocates use information, communications and digital technologies to maximise the impact of their advocacy work. We provide advocates with guides, tools, training and consultancy to help them develop the skills and tactics they need to increase the impact of their campaigning. Read more about our work at http://www.tacticaltech.org More details along with the application form will be available by end of September 2008. The working language of the camp will be English. If you want to learn more about the camp in the meantime or sign up to get an application form, please write to infoactivism(a)tacticaltech.org

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[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] A report that focuses on the lack of high-capacity backbone networks in Africa]
by alice 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Hi All FYI -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Fibre-for-africa] A report that focuses on the lack of high-capacity backbone networks in Africa Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 19:47:20 +0100 From: abi.jagun(a)gmail.com Reply-To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> To: APC - Private list for use by EASSY Workshop Participants <fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org> Dear All I came across the following article recently which might be of interest to the list. It canbe downloaded at http://www.infodev.org/en/Publication.526.html Broadband for Africa: Policy for Promoting the Development of Backbone Networks A report that focuses on the lack of high-capacity backbone networks in Africa Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa see ICT as a foundation of long-term economic development. The region has been very successful in increasing access to basic voice communications but there has been no comparable improvement in broadband connectivity. The broadband access gap between Sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world is getting wider, just as the gap in basic voice communications is getting smaller. Increasing access to broadband connectivity is therefore emerging as a high priority for policymakers across the continent. This report focuses on one important part of the challenge – the lack of high-capacity backbone networks. It addresses three specific questions: What role do backbone networks play in the provision of broadband services, what is the current state of backbone network development in Sub-Saharan Africa (and why) and, what can be done to promote the development of backbone networks and thereby stimulate the take-up of broadband services? By Mark Williams. Published August 2008. _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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Rwanda Gets Localls Made/Assemled Handset
by Shem Ochuodho 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Quoting: Rwanda ICT4D Community Network Rwanda get locally made handset -Network World 02/09/2008 A-Link Technologies, a Chinese electronics company, has unveiled its first mobile phone handsets manufactured in Rwanda. This makes Rwanda the first country in the region to sell locally manufactured mobile phones. The manufacturing of the handsets follows a memorandum of understanding signed in 2006 between A-Link and the Rwanda Information Technology Authority, the country's telecom regulator. Read the latest WhitePaper - Monitor the core and troubleshoot the access layer with integrated network analysis solutions The company plans to start selling the phones, called "Alira," in the 21 countries of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African after they are officially launched in October and once production is stepped up, said A-Link CEO Yin Quing Ri. "One of the phone models has been programmed with Kinyarwanda software so the Rwandese who uses their mother language can communicate easily," Ri said. So far, the company has produced three models -- the A100, A200 and A300 -- and promises that several other models are in the works. The phones feature color screens and radios, among other amenities. The plant is manufacturing 100 handsets per day, though it has the capacity to produce 700 phones per day. A-Link began operating in Rwanda last year, as the country is positioning itself to be an ICT hub in East Africa.

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Invitation for Web design PHP/MYSQL Training
by Martin Njuguna-Digital Vision 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Dear all, We would like to invite the people interested in Hands on Web design,PHP/MYSQL training to join us during our 4 days hands on training seminar between *29th September to 2nd October 2008.* For more details, please check out http://digitalvision.co.ke/training/ You can also request for the full course outline for the 4 days by writing to us on training(a)digitalvision.co.ke Thank you in advance. -- Martin S. Njuguna Digital Vision Limited Plot number 72/688 Kitengela Road, Langata, Nairobi Maasai Shopping complex 1st floor ,room 4 P.O Box 40721 00100 t:+254-20-21 33 865 c:+254 721 440 543 c:+254 733 440 543 e:martin@digitalvision.co.ke <e%3Amartin(a)digitalvision.co.ke> w: http://www.digitalvision.co.ke

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Re: [kictanet] [Skunkworks] Runway inflation?
by Phares Kariuki 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Hi, I agree with you in the most part, just that there are a couple of issues I've found. ECONOMICS; An observation. Economics observes what happens in economies. It does not come up with the rules. The whole point of the study of economics is to better understand how transactions etc function. Now, when I say that a farmer in Dundori is hurt by low pricing, that is reality. His is a low value transaction. It is unfortunate, but if 70% of the transactions (numerically) are low value, then they can be financially worth less than the remaining 30%, which accounts for more, financially. The problem then is how to get the Farmers out of Farmland trading and into the mainstream market (given that if they do that, they will increase competition, thereby reducing pricing, while gaining more money in the same breath). The policy is left to someone else. I disagree with the thought that inflation causes rural to urban migration to recede. Actually, it increases it. The problem is, the guy at Dundori is so poor that the instant school fees and transport costs rise, he can no longer afford to make ends meet, so he moves, He's hardest hit by inflation. He suddenly can no longer afford to buy bread (which has risen, and his income is still the same paltry amount). It's the same as migration to foreign nations, once a comfortable life is easily accessible in Nairobi, then Greencard applications will go down. The sad thing is people from the citys/towns tend to portray and image of doing well, so the farmer figures the fortune lies in Nairobi. In economics, its said that prices are sticky downwards, meaning that an upsurge in pricing is easy, but an adjustment downwards is almost impossible. An example? Global crude prices have come down. Fuel stations will keep the pump prices at that level, and unfortunately, the trend is to maintain that as their new profit margin. The same can be said about the matatu industry. Once they increase their fare, they have a new profit margin, which they will not go below. UNEMPLOYMENT For a developing nation such as ours, studies show that a certain level of unemployment (not the level we have though) is good for the nation, as it keeps competition for jobs high, making labour cheap, and hence keeping our goods more competitive globally, and it also spurs entrepreneurship, as people are now forced to start businesses when they cannot find jobs. CAUSE OF INFLATION IN KENYA Inasmuch as it is popular to blame the government, this particular situation is largely caused by government. It has made a series of misinformed policy decisions which are to blame for the situation at hand. 1. Separation of Kengen & KPLC - This was a case of blindly copying what happens in other nations without looking at our situation in particular. This is normally done when the logistics of managing the two becomes too difficult. Kenya is still a young nation, at most they should have created two smaller entities, each mandated with a different objective, in line with what Kengen did with Geothermal power generation. For example, having KPLC (Mother Company), Kengen and Kenya Power Distributors Limited. 2.Lack of capacity building; Throwing money to fix the problem - When Kenya first experienced power rationing, the government started buying diesel generators and installed them at the now popular Kipevu Power Station. Now, Kenya is one of the countries with the largest capacities for geothermal energy in Africa, instead of tapping on this, the government spent money on diesel generation. As a stop gap measure, this was OK, the problem is, someone realised that this was a way to cover the capacity problems, to meet the shortfall. That is why the projects to build new power stations take too long. Now, the global price of petroleum has gone up, we have to pay more for power, simply because it is becoming a larger percentage of our power generation. This also increases diesel prices locally, as the demand has increased. You will have noticed that diesel fuel has increased in price more than standard Super/Regular, when looked at as a percentage. 3. Poor Transport Infrastructure & Taxes - Our road infrastructure is dilapidated. This makes transport expensive, however, the tax regime makes it too expensive. Now fuel is at European prices. Our rail infrastructure is poor. Transporting milk/bread etc, will cost more for this simple reason. When matatus increase the fare, this affects the ordinary mwananchi, who most feels the pain. Women selling goods in markets have to pay more to get their goods there, and will charge more, increasing cost of food. It is the same on all basic goods that rely on transport. The handcarts/mkokotenis realise increased demand, and will increase their pricing as well. This price will not go down easily. 4. Listing of Kengen & KPLC. While a good decision financially speaking, as the bearer of policy, the government flopped in this regard. Given that the companies have been separated, each now has profit targets to meet. The government had earlier subsidized cost on both Kengen & KPLC's part. Now, had they not been listed, this would not have been a problem, as the government would not need them to make profits, however, as things are, being a listed company, if the stock price falls, the CEO loses his job, as he has an angry AGM to contend with. Now, we have two companies, each with a huge profit target to meet, and a government that can no longer afford to subsidize power. Now the result is, with their new profit regimes neatly tucked in their pockets, they increase the cost of power, thereby increasing production of goods. So, the manufacturers raise their prices, the transporters raise their prices, the farmer, having to contend with rising prices, raises his prices. Leaving the citizens digging deeper into their pockets. Kijiji, we agree in principle, the difference is that you are not content with the situation. The poverty Kenyans face is real. And I agree, more SACCOs and other such groups should be created, to allow the farmers to bargain for better pricing. Ill give an example, I was recently in Dundori (hence the several inferences), where I saw an old grandmother feed one of the healthiest and largest batch of cabbages Ive seen yet to her cows. Now, I asked why? Well, the cabbage (which retails in NBI for 40-60 shillings, in a market, the price increase, as I pointed out earlier, is due to transport problems (15 odd km of dirt road + tonnes of middlemen) is bought from her at 3 shillings a piece. She at least has a cooperative for milk, so they buy the milk at 23 shillings a litre. She figures, the cows tend to produce better milk when fed with cabbages, and they will rot, waiting for someone to collect... And we complain about food shortages? Now, Kijiji, we cannot say that 10 cabbages are worth 400 shillings. They have retailed at 3 shillings each, meaning that they are worth 30 shillings. That's the farmers buying power. Anyway, my two pence, as the tradition is, feel free to punch holes in my argument... On Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 8:21 AM, Kijiji Jazz <kijijijazz(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Aki,Skunks, > > > Energy runs the economy, it greatly determines the cost of production. > What this means is that bottom lines for companies will be greatly > affected and small companies wont be able to manage. It basically means > that small is being redefined especially in urban areas. > > For me to answer your question effectively, i have to put some things in > context. Firstly in the CNBC thread what you and Phares said about > price and salaries was on point but. Salaries or wages are a different > INDEX from GDP. They are defined as Yp or {Income per Capita}. Thus my > contention that he was right on YP and wrong on GDP Why is this > important? Their are two kinds of economies really. LDC {Low Developed > Countries and Medium Developed Countries}. > > This brings me to the issue PHARES raised of the JAPAN economy. > Developed Countries primarily suffer from problems of Devlopment not > Problems of Growth. Low developed countries {LDC} or 3rd world > countries suffer from from problems of growth. > > WHAT IS A PROBLEM OF GROWTH? > > In Kenya's case a problem of Growth would be retrenchment, high costs of > living etc. When an economy is growing it leaves some people behind as > it grows. This are the people who do not adapt to the growth. For > example 10 years ago a person who had a certificate in Secretarial > studies could get a job, in Nairobi. Now their skill set is largely > irrelevant. A degree is a prerequisite for a job now. And the > situation will get worse. Thus the argument by Karl Maxx in his book > "Das Kapital" that " Capitalism results in a reserve army of unemployed > workers." He was right!! as we can see from the retrenchments at Telkom > Kenya etc. However i am a firm believer in Capitalism. > > WHAT IS A PROBLEM OF DEVELOPMENT? > > A problem of development is more societal in nature. They say that > money only makes you more of what you already are. Thus crime goes up > in urban areas in terms of drug use and prostitution etc. > > INFLATION IS A PROBLEMS OF GROWTH > > We all know that property prices in Nairobi have gone in some instances > by up to 4 times in the last 10 years. What this means is that urban > areas are getting expensive to live in. That has led to increased rents > etc. Power is also largely expensive due to the demand for oil from the > East with their quickly expanding middle class. > > This means that small business and low skilled people will eventually be > unable to survive in Nairobi and relocate to rural areas. Their are > already reported cases of people in banks asking for transfers to rural > areas where life is cheaper. > > WHAT DOES THAT MEAN > > That then means that rural areas will start to grow and expand into > urban centres in the long term. This is because while a person with > secretarial skills in Nairobi is irrelevant. Their skill set is needed > in Homa Bay. It could also be argued that people will not move to rural > areas but will stay and engage in crime. Which is also true but unless > crime is organised it isn't profitable. > > HOW WILL RURAL AREAS DEVELOP > > Business works in terms of willing buyer, willing seller. That means > that the business that succeed will need to be where their are high > populations to improve their chances of getting more willing buyers. > Thus when people relocate companies will have to roll out into rural > areas. This will stimulate growth and development as seen by Equity > banks expansion drive, and By OneComms focus on rural areas in terms of > selling internet access. > > > INFLATION IS THUS GOOD IN THE LONG TERM > > This is rather ruthless to say. However it is true. Inflation reduces > rural to urban migration and reduces informal settlements in urban > areas. By keeping people in rural areas inflation fosters growth in > those areas. > > However inflation is bad if people who are forced to stay in rural areas > by it have no fallback option. That means that governments must relax > regulation of businesses and make it easy for them to expand to rural > areas. Kudos to CCK for the converged licence. > > Banks are also a big culprit. At any one time Banks in Kenya are > holding reserves of up to 60 billion shillings. Thus Michael Josephs > statement in the news recently when launching MPESA on PESA POINT where > he said. "Banks always have money, at least Kenyan Banks" In developed > economies banks dont hold vast reserves of cash they lend. Money should > be in the economy producing more not in banks. > > The more entrepreneurs have access to cash, the more they can do. thus > lending should be long term and flexible to foster economic growth. > > Therefore what Kenya is experiencing is problems of growth. As Phares > pointed out. It will harm some people but in the long term it will be > good for the economy. > > Small companies will close or change their structure to survive e.g. > remove permanent employees and higher contract ones or freelancers. For > example KQ has frozen employment for the next two years, hiring us > strictly contractual. Informal industries such as matatus will have to > formalise into Saccos or Bus companies or risk closure. > > DISCLAIMER: Our inflation is also artificial due to OPEC. It is also > brought about by America and its bloated middle class and Chinas ever > growing middle class and their demand for oil. However this is the > general trend of the economy. I hope that clarifies stuff for you. > > I invite Phares and others to Critic and contribute to this. > > > Kjaz > > On Thu, 2008-09-04 at 13:07 +0300, aki wrote: > > At this stage I wish I knew more about economics than ICT! > > > > While these lists are ICT based, if we have an economist on board, it > > would be a great help to some of us if the person can do some analysis > > and share it on this list. > > > > Some points to consider ( my amatuer input ) : > > > > - Electricity runs the economy. At 100% or more increase, what will it > > mean in the long term, say 3-12months from now? > > > > - Closure of businesses, loss of employment, eroded spending power by > > the consumers or businesses? > > > > - How much of the increased costs will affect property business > > rental prices ? > > > > - How will the informal sector handle this? > > > > - How will ICT companies fare in this scenario? > > > > - Price increases of products, solutions etc lead to a negative market > > trend? > > > > My apology for posting these issues here. > > > > Aki. > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > skunkworks mailing list > > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com > > Beta Blog http://blog.my.co.ke > > Get Skunkworks RSS Feeds: http://www.jahazi.com/rss/ > > > > _______________________________________________ > skunkworks mailing list > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com > Beta Blog http://blog.my.co.ke > Get Skunkworks RSS Feeds: http://www.jahazi.com/rss/ >

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BPO STUDY LAUNCH
by Evelyne Majale 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Dear people Another reminder of the BPO STUDY LAUNCH Please note: Venue: KICC Date: Wednesday 10th September, 2008 Time: 8.30 a.m. 1 p.m. Attached, please find the programme Please send your confirmations to me off line. Evelyne

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ITXC judgement lifts the carpet on bribes to seven African telcos for contracts
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Everyone knows it happens but the conclusion of the trial of three former ITXC employees has aired publicly how it is done. Employees of seven African telcos – all state owned with one exception – were given bribes to obtain wholesale VoIP voice contracts. The sums involved were not large but court documents reveal how it was done and some interesting incidental detail about its pitfalls as a way of approaching sales acquisition. Founded in1997 by Tom Evslin, a former Vice President at AT&T, ITXC was one of the new breed of VoIP based carriers that set out to conquer the world. One of its key markets was Africa because of the plentiful arbitrage opportunities offered by the extremely high costs of international calling. ITXC sold low-cost international wholesale minutes to incumbents who were therefore able to either lower their prices or (as was often the case) simply increase their margins. The company was sold to Teleglobe and it was during that process that the bribery allegations first emerged. ITXC’s in-house attorney asked its sales department to provide a list of ITXC agents who also worked for telcos. On 27 October 2003, this person sent the following list: Sonatel, Nitel (through Standard Digital), Telkom Kenya (through Adwest), Ghana Telecom and Angola Telecom. Subsequently Teleglobe was sold to Tata’s VSNL. Three former ITXC employees were charged under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: former Managing Director Roger Young, former Vice President Steven J. Ott, and Yaw Osei Amoako. Other co-conspirators were named but not charged as some were not US citizens. Young and Ott received reduced sentences because they co-operated with the investigation which is “on-going” according to the Department of Justice statement. Young was fined US$7,000 and Ott US$10,000, with latter also getting five years probation, six months community confinement and six months home imprisonment. A third defendant in the case, Ghanaian Yaw Osei Amoako (a US citizen), pleaded guilty on Sept. 6, 2006, and was sentenced on Aug. 1, 2007, to 18 months in prison, a $7,500 fine and to serve two years of supervised release following release from prison. The carriers named in the court case were: Nigeria’s Nitel: “On or about October 25 2002, ITXC and Nitel executed a VoIP Network Services Agreement…” In November ITXC then entered into a sales agreement with Standard Digital International, an agreement that was signed by Nitel’s General Director of International Relations, a member of the committee that reviewed the bids of those companies competing for the contract. On or about 10 October 2003 prior to ITXC signing with Nitel sent an e-mail saying:”I was able to get (the person at Nitel) to chat with (defendant Ott) in my hotel room and he poured out what we have to do to get the deal through with (sic) getting him in trouble favouring ITXC.” The following day he wrote:”Prior to sending real traffic, Nitel is ready to sit down and give ITXC special rates. Do I trust them on this? Yes. The Agents are the negotiators but is (sic) afraid of other operators (sic) actions and political contacts with Ministers, President and Vice President.” In 2003 there was a “cost dispute” which required payment of a further approximately US$150,000 to the sales agent. ITXC agreed to pay Standard Digital a retainer fee of US$10,000 and a commission of 12% of ITXC’s profits from these service agreements. Between November 2002 and May 2004 ITXC wired approximately US $166,541.31 to Standard Digital. Rwandatel: The contract between ITXC and Rwandatel was entered into at the end of February 2002. ITXC made the Rwandatel employee negotiating the agreement its sales agent and agreed to pay him “one cent per minute for certain traffic to Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda terminated through Rwandatel. The sum sent in this instance was approximately US$26,155.11. By the end of 2002, a dispute arose between the Managing Director of Rwandatel and the bribed employee over the latter’s failure to share the money. There was then an e-mail exchange as to whether the size of the sum could be revealed to which “co-conspirator 2” replied:”…we can reveal the information, although in the ordinary case, we shouldn’t (but this doesn’t seem to be an ordinary case).” Subsequently they met the Managing Director who wanted to change the agent receiving the commissions to someone nominated by him. As a result the process became more complicated:”We also agree the current agent must not be informed of the meeting and of the new arrangement.” But they were happy with is complication:”The way I see it, (the original employee bribed) cannot cause any trouble to ITXC as the Managing Director is in charge. He cannot sue because he would be arrested for receiving kickbacks.” Senegal’s Sonatel: The contract was signed in February 2001 and the following month the employee negotiating the contract entered into a “Non-Exclusive Regional Agency Agreement” which offered commission on revenues earned by ITXC. Between March 2001 and October 2003 US $74,772.06 was paid to this Sonatel employee. But there were problems as France Telecom, the private shareholder in Sonatel could clearly see all was not right. An e-mail in September 2002 was sent to Ott stating:”(The bribed employee) is the only one defending us in (the Sonatel monthly Board meetings) and he tells me (France Telecom) is becoming very suspicious. We need to get him out of the spotlight asap.” The problem continued as an e-mail in May 2003 makes clear:”Sonatel is not an easy organization to deal with. France Telecom is gripping them pretty tight. (The bribed employee) is not the force he used to be – but we still need him and he can still do good. Just be prepared not to get the most complete or direct answers to your questions.” Ghana Telecom: The ITXC agreement was signed in February 2001 but came to grief in December 2002 when Ghana Telecom disconnected its link to ITXC over a “cost dispute”. ITXC then offered to retain a General Manager in the International Department as ITXC’s sales agent and pay him commissions “in exchange for his assistance in settling this dispute.” Mali’s Sotelma: The contract was negotiated in 2002 and in order to conclude the negotiations ITXC signed the overall boss of Sotelma, its Director-General as its sales agent and paid commissions on traffic generated. E-mails about the arrangement stated that:”I have the Director General in the deal as an agent who is been (sic) fronted by his lieutenants.” It will be clear from the summary of the available public documents that this approach to business has a number of pitfalls. The bribed employees in two instances subsequently had to sort out “cost disputes” which were the pretext for asking for more bribes. In one instance, the bribed employee failed to share his gains with the managing director. In the only company with a private shareholder (which also sells wholesale minutes), the bribed employee became isolated under commercial questioning: this provides a strong if not always decisive argument for privatisation. From the telco side, what has been known privately for years is now revealed clearly and publicly by the Rwandatel and Sotelma examples. Corruption is systemic and goes right to the top and bribes are expected to be shared with the boss of the organisation and woe betide anyone who tries to keep the money to themselves. NB: Sory for crossposting.. Eric M.K Osiakwan ICT Integrator Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 2031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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Stakeholder Queries:
by Patrick Mburu 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

Hi Brian, Thanks very much for the response, this does help for sure put things in perspective which is great and point well received. I'm not new to volunteering capacity and well... we all have to make sacrifices for a greater good at some point in our time. *Hat's* off to the team voluntering, I look forward to contributing. Looking forward to hearing of opportunities to contribute in my capacity, and also looking forward to answers on the questions asked before. (perhaps the title of the email needed to change :-).. so hope it wont get lost soemwhere.. Best Regards, Patrick 2008/8/29 Brian Munyao Longwe <brian(a)caret.net> > Hi PAtrick, > Very good points raised. I will not try to answer any of them directly - > but will make a few suggestions. > > I personally feel that it is quite interesting to note your (and many > others previously) open expression of interest in "getting involved" - this > is excellent! > > However, the sad fact is that very often when the rubber hits the road and > people need to selflessly dedicate personal time (almost always on a > voluntary basis) - they simply don't. Some of us (and as I look around the > room at the 12 odd people sitting here) have been volunteering our time > constantly and consistently for many years, going out of our way, both to > find out what is happenning and to offer our (free time and input) towards > helping govt better understand and work with "stakeholders" in defining the > ways of moving forward. A lot of this has happened through our personal > involvement in organisations such as KICTANET, TESPOK, KENIC, KIF, KEPSA, > EAIA, CSK, etc... > > As a result of these largely voluntary participations I think Govt has > realised that there are people who are willing to set aside their personal > and commercial interests and help out of their hearts. > > My two pence and probably not very clearly expressed but I hope you get my > point. > > For those who *genuinely* want to be of service, there comes a high price > in terms of personal commitment and sometimes it takes years before one is > recognised as being a consistent and reliable resource. > > In my personal experience my first major engagement in a national process > was during the drafting, review and enactment of the Communications Act in > 97/98 which I pursued because I had a passion to see transformation within > the industry and genuinely felt that this was an opportunity - now 10 years > later I am the one being chased by various committees/panels for my > input...... > > Hope this helps, > > B > > On Aug 29, 2008, at 12:43 PM, Patrick Mburu wrote: > > Good afternoon, > > Perhaps a few questions to be asked (not directed at Brian only) if some > others may be interested in knowing is... > > 1. Who qualifies as a stakeholder (individual and company?) > 2. How can one qualify as a stakeholder? and contribute to be > considered as a voice being heard: > 1. Perhaps as members of this list for example; can questions / > suggestions regarding certain issues be solicited through the online > discussion fora or through directed workshops... be collected and presented > on behalf for those unable to attend various events? > 3. How can one be nominated to participate at these venues be it > retreats and or missions overseas as indicated in the document? > > I apologise if this has been already discussed at length..however a quick > recap can't hurt. > > Perhaps these are best directed to the ICT board directly? however, it may > benefit others curious on this list as well... > > On another note... I found the document rather interesting as this is > response to the much awareness requested on this list : *information* ..* > information*...*information*... > Kudos to the ICT board on making efforts to dissemniate this info. and hope > to see further publishes and eventual invites. > > To move forward collectively..collaboration is key... > > Wishing a good friday. > > Asante, > > Patrick > 2008/8/29 Brian Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> > >> FYI Listers >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Brian Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> >> Date: Aug 29, 2008 9:31 AM >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] ICT Board Strategy a Farce >> To: wambuiwakarema(a)yahoo.co.uk >> >> Very strong language - but I think you should relax as your concerns are >> unfounded. >> >> I am at the Strategic retreat. Unfortunately Gilda Odera - Chairperson of >> BPO, who was supposed to be present had to cancel at the last minute. >> >> Brian >> >> On 8/29/08, Wambui Wakarema <wambuiwakarema(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: >> >>> >>> >>> I have read with surprise the Kictanet mailout from the ICT Board claiming they are going for a stakeholders strategy workshop in Naivasha. >>> >>> Who are these stakeholders? Are there any representing the BPO sector?? I ask this because I have contacted the industry association and they dont seem >>> >>> to be in the know either. This is quite bizarre, especially since BPO is a key sector of the ICT Board's mandate. >>> >>> Who are the stakeholders from the other ICT sectors? Shouldnt the Board be getting input from key stakeholders at this workshop. >>> >>> They are wasting government resources going to write strategies and then 'presenting' to stakeholders, yet stakeholders should have been involved from the word go. >>> >>> The >>> current management of the ICT Board performance is well under par. Recently I called up their >>> >>> offices wanting to engage with the management on a number of issues. Alas! I was informed that they were all on leave at the same time! >>> >>> The ICT Board cant seem to function properly due to sheer incompetence. >>> >>> Dr Ndemo I want a response from you since the buck stops with you! >>> >>> Wakarema >>> >>> >>> Send instant messages to your online friends >>> http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: blongwe(a)gmail.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Brian Munyao Longwe >> e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com >> cell: + 254 722 518 744 >> blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com >> meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com >> >> -- >> Brian Munyao Longwe >> e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com >> cell: + 254 722 518 744 >> blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com >> meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: patrick.mburu(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/patrick.mburu%40gmail.… >> >> > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: brian(a)caret.net > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40caret.net > > > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by *MailScanner* <http://www.mailscanner.info/>, and is > believed to be clean.

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