Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, has urged African nations to rethink digital development by emphasising meaningful connectivity over network coverage.
He contends that genuine digital inclusion must enable people to fully engage in the digital economy.
The Minister urged African leaders, regulators, and business participants to embrace a people-centered approach to digital transformation during his speech at the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26) in Abuja, Nigeria.
Hon. Sam George stated, “We must resist the temptation to mistake a coverage map for progress, meaningful connectivity is not a signal bar on a handset. It is regular access, on a capable device, at sufficient speed, with enough data, and with the skills and trust to turn that access into opportunity.”
The Minister used Ghana as an example, highlighting the nation’s intentional investments in increasing digital inclusivity and access.
He listed the introduction of new 5G licenses, the extension of rural telephony, the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, and digital skills initiatives like Girls-in-ICT and One Million Coders as important interventions propelling Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.
Additionally, Hon. Sam George emphasised the government’s commitment to lowering the cost of internet access, characterising data pricing as a policy issue that calls for intentional government action rather than passive market dynamics.
The Minister emphasised that Africa has the ability and talent to determine its own digital future and called for increased continental collaboration.
He was applauded by the delegates when he declared, “Africa’s digital future will not be imported; it will be designed by African policymakers, built by African engineers, and animated by African talent.”
In closing, Hon. Sam George reiterated Ghana’s dedication to furthering Africa’s digital agenda through more robust regional cooperation.
In addition, he asked member nations to support Ing. Edmund Fianko’s reelection to the ITU Radio Regulations Board and Ghana’s reelection to both the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Council and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council.
The Minister stated that Ghana is still dedicated to collaborating with other African countries to create an innovative, resilient, and inclusive digital environment that offers real socioeconomic advantages to everyone.
Source: newsthemegh.com