Ghana Advocates Results-Driven Digital Agenda for Africa at ITU Conference

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has called for stronger international cooperation and investment to bridge Africa’s digital divide and ensure equitable access to emerging technologies.

Speaking at the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha, Qatar, he 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 said Ghana was building a National AI Compute Centre to support research, innovation and enterprise while promoting responsible, ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence.

The country was also implementing its One Million Coders initiative to equip people with the digital skills needed to participate in the evolving digital economy.

Hon. George further 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 Child Online Protection protocols with other ITU Member States.

Hon. Samuel Nartey George called for an ITU Strategic Plan for 2027–2030 that prioritises measurable results, including investment in last-mile connectivity and equitable access to spectrum and satellite orbits.

The Minister also sought support for Ghana’s re-election to the ITU Council for Region D and the re-election of the Director-General of the National Communications Authority, Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, to the Radio Regulations Board.

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has called for stronger international cooperation and investment to bridge Africa’s digital divide and ensure equitable access to emerging technologies.

Speaking at the 2026 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha, Qatar, he 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 said Ghana was building a National AI Compute Centre to support research, innovation and enterprise while promoting responsible, ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence.

The country was also implementing its One Million Coders initiative to equip people with the digital skills needed to participate in the evolving digital economy.

Hon. George further 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 Child Online Protection protocols with other ITU Member States.

Hon. Samuel Nartey George called for an ITU Strategic Plan for 2027–2030 that prioritises measurable results, including investment in last-mile connectivity and equitable access to spectrum and satellite orbits.

The Minister also sought support for Ghana’s re-election to the ITU Council for Region D and the re-election of the Director-General of the National Communications Authority, Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, to the Radio Regulations Board.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Ghana.