1. INFORMATION FOR DEVELOPMENT Ms Bentil 1

2. What is development?  It involves economic growth, modernisation and general improvement in the socio-economic levels of people.  In terms of economic security, access to health services, education, employment opportunities, democracy, death rate, birth rate etc. Ms Bentil 2

3.  Information is a very crucial factor in development.  Information is needed for development at all levels Ms Bentil 3

4.  Information is needed for development at: a) The Individual level  Every individual needs information. Eg. Students, farmers, lawyers, police, politicians, etc need information to execute their functions. Ms Bentil 4

5. b) Organisational level  For policy and decision making, competitive advantage, productivity and efficiency. Ms Bentil5

6.  c) National level : the different arms of government (the judiciary, the executive and the legislative) need information to execute national programmes. Ms Bentil 6

7.  It can therefore be seen that the need for information cuts across all sections of the society.  Information may come in the form of books, newspapers, journals, through a conversation, formal education etc. Ms Bentil7

8. Problems with information for development in Africa 1. Lack of appreciation of the role of information in development  Information is not valued in African countries.  As a result, the information sector is neglected. Ms Bentil 8

9.  2. Inadequate financial resources allocated to the Information Sector  Insufficient funds are allocated to the information sector in Africa.  In the developed countries much of their financial resources are channelled into the information sector or the knowledge industry. Ms Bentil 9

10.  3. Poor facilities for information provision  Our information centres are not well- stocked with documentary materials.  Radios and televisions are also limited in the sense that they produce few shows of their own and fill air times with cheap foreign imports. Ms Bentil 10

11.  4. Low level of education in Africa  As a result of this, the role or importance of information for development is not highly recognised.  Illiterates cannot read documented information.  However, translation and repackaging services are available. Ms Bentil 11

12.  5. Lack of skills in the use of information  One has to be an information literate to be able to use information effectively.  Information literacy is the ability to identify, locate, access, assess or evaluate and use information.  Even when ICT is provided, people are unable to use it. Ms Bentil 12

13.  The negative attitudes of some governments in Africa  African governments do not make information available to information agencies or the general public.  This does not encourage participative governance or democracy. Ms Bentil 13

14. Solutions a) The acceptance of information as an important national resource.  Political decision makers should appreciate the role of information in development and provide for it. Ms Bentil 14

15. b) Allocation of adequate financial resources to the information sector  By so doing, information provision agencies would be able to acquire all the necessary information that would be required by society. Ms Bentil15

16.  c) Equipping information centres and agencies  With modern facilities and resources, media houses, libraries and archives can perform their roles effectively and efficiently. Ms Bentil 16

17.  d) An improvement in the educational level  More people should be encouraged to have formal education through programmes such as: FCUBE Free SHS, Scholarships Adult Education. Ms Bentil 17

18. e) Provision of training facilities  For information personnel to improve upon and update their knowledge in information provision.  Training facilities should also be provided in schools, universities and at work places. Ms Bentil18

19.  f) African governments should not place restrictions on access to some kinds of information that would benefit the citizens of a country. In conclusion, African governments should take the necessary steps to ensure that relevant information is made available for maximum development. Ms Bentil 19