1

OAU Digitization Project

The paper (CM/1793 (LIX) Add.2: 2) of 1994 noted that “The reorganisation of the Archive Unit and the storing of documents using scanning techniques will guarantee safety for all past and future historical documents of the OAU”

2

Resource mobilization for the project

A list of resources required was made Human resource = one archivist, two cataloguers, a

laboratory technician and a bilingual secretary. (All these to be new recruits)

Equipment = an impressive list including cameras, book cradles, microfiche

More emphasis was placed on equipment than on the human resources no indication of how the project related to the other departments

beyond the archives and how they were expected to contribute. Not apparent who was to champion the project The diverse skills requirements for digitization were ill

represented. Apparent that skills were lacking

3

Resource mobilization strategy

No particular strategy was put in place. The archives had a budget of $100,000.00

approved by the Council of Ministers UNDP was targeted for the supplementary

human resources (Electrical Engineer and a database officer).

The project ran on consultancy Money was not the problem

4

Problems

No comprehensive and documented resource mobilizationNo documented strategyNot much ownership from the organizationNo monitoring or evaluationConsultants finished their job Commented about the internal incompetencyHanded over the project and that was the endArchives staff leftA new senior officer came in, cleared the Equipment clutter

THAT WAS THE END OF THE PROJECT AND NOTHING OF IT REMAINS TO DATE

AU Turns a New Page