The Minister for Communications and Digitalization (MoCD), Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has reiterated authorities’s dedication to constructing robust partnerships and formulating insurance policies for digital applied sciences that may drive the socio-economic improvement of the nation in addition to place Ghana because the digital gateway to the African continent.
Ghana considers the collaborative platforms initiated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the varied Regional and Global partnerships important to the expansion of not solely the Africa Region however all Member States for a collective profit.
She mentioned “to this end, Ghana will continue to serve the ITU community, and as we seek reelection to the Council, we are counting on your vote and support to retain Ghana as a Council member to continue serving you diligently”.
She indicated that the the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with the Secretariat headquartered in Ghana was a pointer to the African Continent-wide advertising and marketing technique powered by digitalization, including, “We are therefore extending our digital infrastructure to our borders to enable seamless connection to our neighbors”.
Commending the Romania authorities for internet hosting the 2022 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-2022) in Bucharest, the Hon. Minister acknowledged that Ghana was absolutely dedicated to the strategic path set by the ITU to make sure the common connectivity that may propel the wanted world digital transformation.
The goal of the 2022 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference was to supply the avenue for Member State events to set the Union’s General Policy path; Adopt the 4-year strategic and monetary plans; Elect the Senior Management Team of the Union and to elect the Member States of the Council.
“Closing the digital divide to facilitate equitable connectivity, which is vital to support the economic transformation of Ghana, our primary objective, “We are of the opinion that we can transform Covid19 from a global crisis to an opportunity through digital technology”, she added.
According to Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, the federal government has additionally launched initiatives that’s geared toward narrowing the digital divide and empower residents to embrace using ICT.
She revealed that the implementation of the Rural Telephony venture had already linked over 3 million individuals, noting that, the beforehand unconnected individuals now had equal entry to the improvements which have been launched by the Government in Ghana’s digital transformation journey underneath the management of the H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The Minister additionally outlined the next initiatives geared in the direction of attaining digital inclusion for all:
a) cell cash interoperability which has introduced over 15 million beforehand unbanked individuals onto the monetary digital platform;
b) The National Identity Card as a single function e ID for all digital transactions to stop identification theft and cyber fraud.
c) Digital expertise improvement provided by means of a nationwide community of Digital Transformation Centres to profit over 20,000 Women Entrepreneurs, Master Trainers, Youth, and Children in Coding Clubs over the previous 12 months.
d) centered interventions to scale back the gender digital divide and create alternatives for the youth by means of the Girls in ICT program and nurturing of latest companies at Digital Incubation Centres.
She mentioned that the federal government was additionally taking all of the prerequisite steps to make sure safe and resilient our on-line world for sustained digital transformation whereas making an allowance for the utilization of ITU pointers.
“Ghana is actively promoting cybersecurity not only for our benefit but for the sub-region as a whole. Ghana’s ranking on the 2021 ITU Global Cybersecurity Index improved to 86.69%, up from 32.6% in 2017. We seek partnerships and international cooperation to do even better for our entire sub-region” she defined.
She mentioned “The Government of Ghana is determined to provide the necessary digital infrastructure, a conducive legal and regulatory environment, build digital capabilities to enhance the adoption and use of ICT and digital innovation, and close all digital gaps to propel our digital transformation. In pursuit of this, Ghana reiterates its commitment to working with the ITU to achieve its strategic objectives for the benefit of all ITU Member States.”