The Department of State for Communications and Information Technology (DOSCIT) has embarked on a countrywide media campaign on ICT for development under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The campaign, which according to a press release from DOSCIT effectively commenced on Friday, 10th August 2007, is aimed at creating awareness and sensitizing the Gambian public on the potential of ICT as a tool for development.

The sensitization programme, to be done through Television, radio and the print media, will include the dissemination of information on the African Information Society Initiative (AISI) and the National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI) policy, strategies and plans on the utilisation and development of ICT in the country.

The awareness campaign, the release went on, will provide knowledge on how ICT can improve the lives of people as a cross-cutting tool for development to achieve national development objectives, particularly PRSP and the Millennium Development Goals.

The first phase of the campaign, which will run for six weeks, kick started with a TV panel on GRTS on Friday 10th August 2007. This is expected to be followed by newspaper articles and radio series within a holistic ICT for Development Campaign agenda, the release concluded.

This paper will be out to provide more information on the campaign, with special focus on the African Information Society Initiative (AISI) and the policies, strategies and plans of the National Information and development of ICT in The Gambia.