Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has expressed the commitment of the government to close the digital divide to facilitate equitable connectivity vital for supporting the economic transformation of the country.
Ghana, she said, is fully committed to the strategic direction set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to ensure the universal connectivity that will propel the needed global digital transformation.
According to her, COVID-19 should not, therefore, be looked at only as a global crisis but also as an opportunity to transform economies through digital technology.
Speaking at the 2022 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-22) of the ITU in Bucharest, the Capital of Romania, the Minister indicated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is a firm believer in the power of digital technology to drive socio-economic development,
She averred that the President, as the Co-Chair of the Group of Eminent Advocates for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is actively implementing Ghana’s digital agenda.
“This is intended to position Ghana as the digital gateway to the continent. Indeed, the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with the Secretariat headquartered in Ghana is a pointer to the African Continent-wide marketing strategy powered by digitalisation.”
“We are therefore extending our digital infrastructure to our borders to enable seamless connection to our neighbours,” she said.
The government, Hon. Ursula Owusu said, has introduced initiatives to narrow the digital divide and empower citizens to embrace the use of ICT by implementing a Rural Telephony project to connect over 3 million people.
She said, “These previously unconnected people now have equal access to the innovations introduced by the Government in Ghana’s digital transformation journey.
They include a) mobile money interoperability which has brought over 15 million previously unbanked persons onto the financial digital platform; b) The National Identity Card as a single purpose e ID for all digital transactions to prevent identity theft and cyber fraud; c) Digital skills development offered through a nationwide network of Digital Transformation Centres to benefit over 20,000 Women Entrepreneurs, Master Trainers, Youth and Children in Coding Clubs over the past 12 months; and d) focused interventions to reduce the gender digital divide and create opportunities for the youth through the Girls in ICT program and nurturing of new businesses at Digital Incubation Centres.”
She indicated that Ghana is also actively promoting cybersecurity not only for the benefit of the sub-region as a whole but to ensure secure and resilient cyberspace for sustained digital transformation utilizing ITU guidelines.
According to her, the government is seeking partnerships and international cooperation to do even better following Ghana’s ranking on the 2021 ITU Global Cybersecurity Index, which improved to 86.69%, up from 32.6% in 2017.
The Minister assured that Ghana remains an active member of the ITU and fully committed to the work of the ITU Council, and will continue to align her goals with the ITU strategic plan that will be adopted in Bucharest.
“Ghana considers the collaborative platforms initiated by the ITU and the various regional and global partnerships essential to the growth of not only the Africa Region but all Member States for our collective benefit.”
“To this end, Ghana will continue to serve the ITU community, and as we seek re-election to the Council, we are counting on your vote and support to retain Ghana as a Council member to continue serving you diligently,” she added.