By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Lesotho’s Principal
Secretary for Digital Governance and AI Policy, Kanono Ramashamole, has called
for stronger collaboration across institutions and sectors to help governments
manage the rapidly changing digital landscape.
Ramashamole made the call
while reflecting on his participation as Master of Ceremonies at the
Commonwealth Digital Nexus, held as part of the Commonwealth Telecommunications
Organisation’s 125th Anniversary celebrations.
In his welcome message,
Ramashamole highlighted the evolution of communications technology from the
first undersea telegraph cables landing at Porthcurno to the present era of
artificial intelligence, advanced connectivity, digital public infrastructure and
intelligent platforms.
“The technologies may have
changed dramatically, but their enduring purpose remains the same: connecting
people and enabling fuller participation in society and the economy,” he said.
Ramashamole said discussions
at the forum, which covered AI at scale, emerging connectivity technologies,
and partnerships, platforms and competition, reinforced the importance of
combining infrastructure with effective institutions, cooperation and a commitment
to inclusion.
“Infrastructure is never
merely about cables, machines or technical standards. It becomes
transformational when supported by vision, cooperation, effective institutions
and a commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind,” he said.
He identified collaboration
across institutions and sectors as a key requirement for responding to changes
in the digital environment, saying the principle should also be applied within
governments through whole-of-government approaches.
According to Ramashamole,
such approaches should break down institutional silos and align policy,
infrastructure, skills, data, regulation and public-service delivery.
He also highlighted the
significance of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation to Lesotho,
noting that the country is a full member and serves on the CTO Executive
Committee.
Ramashamole said the
membership provides Lesotho with an opportunity to learn from other
Commonwealth countries while contributing to decisions affecting digital
policy, meaningful connectivity and inclusive digital transformation.
He pointed to Lesotho’s
hosting of the CTO’s 64th Council Meeting and Commonwealth Digital Roadshow
earlier this year as further evidence of the strength and value of the
partnership.
