By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Ghana has called for a
results-driven International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Strategic Plan for
2027–2030, urging stronger international cooperation and investment to bridge
Africa’s digital divide and ensure equitable access to emerging technologies.
The Minister for
Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George
(MP), made the call at the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha,
Qatar, where member states are discussing the organisation’s priorities for the
next four years.
Addressing the conference,
the Minister noted that more than half of Africa’s population remained offline
in 2026, stressing the need for practical interventions to extend connectivity
to underserved communities.
He called for an ITU
strategic plan that prioritises measurable results, including increased
investment in last-mile connectivity and equitable access to spectrum and
satellite orbits.
Highlighting Ghana’s digital
transformation agenda, Hon. George said the country was building a National AI
Compute Centre to support research, innovation and enterprise while promoting
responsible, ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence.
He also pointed to the
implementation of Ghana’s One Million Coders initiative, which is intended to
equip people with the digital skills needed to participate in the evolving
digital economy.
On cybersecurity, the
Minister highlighted Ghana’s Tier 1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index
and expressed the country’s readiness to share its experience in establishing
Computer Emergency Response Teams and implementing Child Online Protection protocols
with other ITU Member States.
Hon. George further sought
support for Ghana’s re-election to the ITU Council for Region D, alongside the
re-election of the Director-General of the National Communications Authority,
Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, to the Radio Regulations Board.
