The Government of Liberia joined other countries around the world on Wednesday, 17 May in observance of International Telecommunication Union Day.

The ITU was founded in 1934, replacing the International Telegraph Convention of 1865 for the purpose of helping member states of the union to harmonize policies, bridge technological differences, and foster inter-operability of networks.

Reading a proclamation issued by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority or LTA Madam Angelique Weeks says the ITU comprised of 192 member states and over 700 sectoral members, adding it is a specialized agency off the United Nations responsible to facilitate development of telecommunication and ICT services globally.

The proclamation reiterates the Government of Liberia’s commitment to supporting plans of the ITU and the World Summit on Information Society or WSIS, geared towards building competencies in ICT, especially of woman and girls as well as physically challenged individuals through the promotion of equitable access to opportunities.

In November 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, decided to celebrate both events on May 17 as World Telecommunication and Information Society day and the Government of Liberia being a founding member of the ITU, shall support and uphold rules and procedures laid down by the world.

Liberia’s Posts and Telecommunications Minister, Dr. Fredrick Nokeh, said that over the years, the country’s telecommunications sector has improved immensely, noting that few years ago, sim cards were sold for US$65, but now they are being sold for as low as one United States Dollars.

Dr. Nokeh says GSM companies have extended networks to villages and other parts of the country, stressing that technology is very interesting and useful, and Liberia cannot afford being behind in the digital revolution.

-Editing by Jonathan Browne