Implement digital inclusion policies – Ursula urges GIFEC Board Members

The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Hon Ursula Owusu Ekuful (MP), says it is important to implement digital inclusion policies to enable the digital transformation agenda of government which will ensure a universal access to ICTs.

“Government is convinced that technological developments and advancement all over the world have strongly influenced the growth and development of countries and Ghana is no different” she said.

She was speaking at the inauguration of the Board of Trustee for the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) on Wednesday 22nd September 2021.

The board is made up of Mr Prince Ofosu Sefah, Administrator GIFEC, Madam Olivia Okailey Quartey, National Communication Authority (NCA), Hon. Cynthia Mamle Morrisson, Parliamentary Select Committee on Communication, Mr Alexander Yaw Arphul, Ministry of Communications, Mr Emmanuel Adjei, Industry Forum Representative, Mr William Tetteh, Industry Forum Representative, Mrs Geta Stiggner-Quartey, Industry Forum Representative, Mr Emmanuel Antwi Kwarteng, Industry Forum Representative.

The Minister charged the Board to provide financial resources for the establishment of universal service and access for all communities and facilitate the provision of basic telephony, internet services, multimedia services, broadband and broadcasting services to these communities.

“Communication services that include voice, data services, access to the internet, local relevant content, community radio and Government services that are affordable and of high quality, as well as signal coverage of mobile and broadcast network through remote regions” she explained.

These services, according to Hon. Minister, by law should be made available to all interested groups and individuals, educational institutions, communities health facilities, telecentres, hospitals and any other public or private community centre in unserved and underserved areas.

“Key initiatives include the School Connectivity Programme, which has so far established a Cyber laboratory in over 1000 second cycle institutions across the country, Community ICT centres in deprived areas, Extensive digital literacy skills programme, with special emphasis on Girls in ICT, aerial fibre for backhaul and last mile,  and our flagship project, the Ghana Rural Telephony Project which is constructing 2016 cell sites across some of the most deprived parts of our country to connect up to 4 million people to voice and data networks” she said.

Mrs Owusu Ekuful said eventhough these aschievements do not completly solve government’s determination to narrow the digital divide, it is unprecedented in the history of this country so we will have to work the extra mile to expand this project.

“We are all witnesses to the massive digital transformation drive of the government, and to ensure that no person is excluded from harnessing the benefits of digitalisation, GIFEC will have to a play critical role in that direction.  H.E. the president is determined to leave no Ghanaian behind as we strive to build our digital economy which is gradually unfolding, she said.

She therefore admonished the Board to be more resourceful, innovative, and strategic in thier thought, planning and execution of projects particularly, because the sector is constantly evolving and rapidly changing.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Mr Prince Ofosu Sefah  assured of the commitment of Members to work hard to ensure achievement of the mandate of providing Universal Access to all persons for socioeconomic development.

He admitted that the Digital Divide is not only from a special but also a demographic standpoint, hence the need to tackle the task ahead with all experience to diversify sources of fund for GIFEC and adequacy of the Fund’s resources for the ultimate achievement of the President’s Digitalisation goal.

He also iterated the need to motivate staff adequately to give out their best and guarantee maximum productivity.