WTISD 2024: Ghana advances digital Innovation for sustainable development

The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2024 was celebrated in Accra, Ghana, with a focus on “Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development.”

The event, hosted by the National Communications Authority (NCA), brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the role of technology in addressing global challenges and driving economic development.

In his speech, Dr. Joe Anokye, Director General of the NCA, highlighted the importance of innovation in tackling pressing global issues such as climate change, poverty, and hunger.

He emphasized the potential of digital technologies to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Dr. Anokye outlined the NCA’s five-year strategic plan, which aims to position the authority as an innovative, agile, and proactive regulator in the communication and digital ecosystem.

One of the key pillars of the strategic plan is to prioritize research, innovation, and process improvement within the NCA to stay ahead of industry developments.

Dr. Anokye emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of innovation, regulating new services driven by emerging technologies, and enhancing operational efficiency through technology and automation.

The NCA boss also shared updates on recent innovations in satellite technology, particularly in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which enable the provision of low latency broadband services.

He announced the implementation of a satellite licensing framework to enhance connectivity resilience in Ghana, especially in light of recent disruptions to undersea fibre optic connections.

Furthermore, Dr. Anokye provided an update on the repair works of four subsea cables (ACE, MainOne, SAT-3, and WACS) that were damaged in March 2024.

He highlighted the completion of repair works on all four cables and the efforts to improve connectivity in the country.

In her address, Mrs. Ursula Owusu, Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, outlined the government’s commitment to extending voice and data connectivity to underserved and unserved communities in Ghana.

She announced plans to complete the construction of 1,006 rural telephony sites by September 2024, with the goal of promoting digital inclusion and reaching four million people in remote areas.

The Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion project, initiated in 2020, aims to construct over 2,000 cell sites across the country to bridge the digital divide and empower communities with access to communication services.

The various speeches delivered at the event underscored the importance of digital innovation in driving sustainable development, promoting inclusive growth, and bridging the digital divide in Ghana.

The commitment of the NCA and the government to fostering innovation and expanding connectivity reflects a shared vision for a more connected and prosperous future for all Ghanaians.

Source:Joseph Kobla Wemakor