The Ministry of Communications together with the Lesotho Telecommunications Authority(LTA) are currently engaged in the development of universal service and universal access policies, guidelines, modernisation of tariff regulation and procurement of a high-tech frequency management and monitoring system.
This was said by the Minister of Communications, Dr ‘Mamphono Khaketla to delegates from member countries of the African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI), at the official opening of the 24th AFRALTI Governing Council Meeting hosted by LTA, at Maseru Sun Cabanas, on Wednesday 31 July, 2002.
The Minister of Communications, Dr 'Mamphono Khaketla addressing delegates of the AFRALTI governing council. ( pic. M.Kheleli)
The Minister indicated that the government of Lesotho believes that effective regulation at the end benefits the nation and its economy through competition, attraction of investors and development of indigenous business.
She further asserted that the government believes in the development of human resources and this area has been given the highest priority. “The human development resource is the greatest resource, as it converts other resources such as finances, materials, minerals etc, into wealth”, she added.
Dr Khaketla said if AFRALTI is about developing the capacity of Basotho men and women, to give them an edge above other nations, her Ministry will fully support it.
However, the Minister said she felt honoured to officiate at the important meeting of AFRALTI for the reasons that it was being hosted by Lesotho soon after the May 2002 general elections where telecommunications was tested to the limit. She said it came out tops, especially the swiftness of accessing the elections results
The other reason why she was proud to officiate was because AFRALTI is engaged in the development of human capacity and that capacity is being developed in the area of telecommunications which has proven to be the engine of economic development.
The Chairman of AFRALTI governing council, Mr S K Chepkong appealed to the member states of AFRALTI to fulfil their obligation including active participation to the activities of the institute.
Dr. 'Mamphono Khaketla (centre) together with the delegates of the AFRALTI meeting. (pic. M. Kheleli)
Mr Chepkong indicated that there is a great need on their part to show their commitment by being in the forefront in meeting their financial obligations towards the annual budget of AFRALTI.
He said failure to meet their financial obligations will deny the institution to grow and play the role that is required to address the challenges that the institution faces.
AFRALTI was established in 1992 as a regional institute for advanced level telecommunications training. The purpose of the establishment of the institute was to supplement and complement efforts by countries in the Eastern and Southern Africa to develop human resources in telecommunications and related fields in their national telecommunication institutions.
31 July, 2002