The Indian government has inaugurated its Pan-African E-network project for 11 African countries, aimed at promoting effective communication and connectivity in the continent through satellite and fibre network.

The 125 million-dollar support project would also facilitate the sharing of Indian's expertise in the fields of education and healthcare with members states of the African Union (AU). The project was proposed by Indian's ex-president Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during the Pan African Parliament in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September of 2004. At a video conference in Accra, which saw the inauguration of the projects via electronic interaction with Ministers of State of the beneficiary countries, Mr. Pramab Mukherjee, Indian's External Affairs Minister, noted the project was part of India's commitment to socio-economic development in Africa. He indicated the project would help bridge the digital divide between his country and the continent and further support e-governance, e-commerce and other information technology tools in beneficiary countries. Mr. Mukhejee said the Indian government hoped to connect the project to all 53 AU member states and expressed the hope that this would further help to promote South-South cooperation. Touching on Ghana's ties with India, Mr. Mukhejee said the two countries continued to enjoy good bilateral relations and expressed the hope that this would continue under President John Evans Atta Mills' government.

(Source: GhanaWeb)