Lagos — Africans are gearing up for a successful hosting of the second World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) slated for November in the North African country of Tunisia. In the first week of February, (eight months before the Tunisia event) the region preparatory WSIS meeting is to kick off from 2-4th in the serene city of Accra, Ghana.

The forum is expected to provide a common ground for Africans to articulate views on the way forward in addressing the challenges faced by the continent in plugging into the information society.

With the theme "Access, Africa's key to an Inclusive Information Society," the information and communications technologies for development (ICT4D) event will feature a major exhibition where national governments, NGO's and businesses can display ICT products, technologies and solutions designed to strengthen African regional economic development and growth.

West Africa's leading technology business magazine, IT Edge is knowledge/media partner of the WSIS event. IT Edge with extensive sub-regional distribution in French and English is the publication of Knowledge Media International (KMI) limited. The magazine is expected to provide a detail post prep WSIS (Accra) meeting report as part of the editorial reports to towards the successful hosting of the November Summit in Tunisia.

Several African countries have already indicated interest to participate in the Accra's event, which offers a good opportunity to rehearse for the November's summit in Tunisia. The 3-day exhibition, to hold at the Accra International Conference Centre, is expected to pool together notable ICT players on the continent.

"This regional exhibition for Africa is designed to provide a participatory space for the peoples of the continent to contribute a clear-cut input into the preparation for WSIS which takes place in Tunis later in 2005. I believe it will also present a great opportunity to meet and do business with members of other African governments, NGO's, international organizations and businesses as well as the international media," said Ghana's Minister of Communications and Technology, Albert Kan-Dapaah.

"To encourage investment in the sector, progressive governments will wish to use the exhibition to demonstrate their regulatory frameworks underlining their commitment to provide a level playing field for all stakeholders in the ICT industry," added the Kan-Dapaah.

Many countries including Ghana are providing technology parks and incubators in partnership with the private sector to encourage growth in the ICT sector fostered on new and innovative technologies. The Accra meeting would inspire new insights for successful development of ICTs and other businesses to support social and economic development objectives of governments and civil society organisations on the continent.