Police forces across Africa have linked up to a global police satellite communication system designed to fight international crime and terrorism by tracking fugitives and stolen goods, the International Police Organisation, Interpol, has said. 

A three-day conference of the 182-member world police body in the Ghanaian capital Accra, aimed at deepening cooperation with counterparts in Africa to fight crime ranging from car theft to human trafficking and attacks by extremists, began on July 14.  

Ronald Noble, the Interpol secretary-general, says two years ago, only three African countries were connected to I-24/7, referring to the satellite system. "Today 31 of the 53 countries in Africa are connected to this state-of-the-art facility," he said. 

Interpol said it would spend M40.9million (Euro 5 million) to connect the rest of Africa. More than 135 police officers from 41 African countries are attending the meeting, which Interpol hopes will encourage cross-border law enforcement cooperation on crime including counterfeiting drugs for malaria, tuberculosis and HIV.

14 July 2005