The government of Ghana has made a request on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) member states in Africa, to support its efforts to join the ITU council.
Speaking at the closing of Africa Regional Development Forum held in Accra, the Deputy Communications Minister, George Andah, noted that the country has worked hard in the area of telecommunication in order to get onto the council.
The breakout sessions of the Regional forum focused on regional initiatives in the areas of building digital economies and fostering innovation in Africa, as well as promoting emerging broadband technologies.
There were discussions on building trust and security in the use of telecommunications and communication technology.
Delegates also agreed on strengthening human and institutional capacity building and ensuring management and monitoring of the radio-frequency spectrum and transition to digital broadcasting.
Andah assured that government will put together a working group made up of all stakeholders; government, regulators, the private sector and academia among others to critically review the various projects.
This will help in determining how to adapt and implement projects, as the country continues on the digital Ghana agenda and move towards the achievements of the SDG’s.
The ITU is governed by the Plenipotentiary Conference and the Administrative Council.
The Plenipotentiary Conference is the supreme organ of the Union. It is the decision making body which determines the direction of the Union and its activities.
The Council, on the other hand, acts as the Union’s governing body in the interval between Plenipotentiary Conferences. Its role is to consider broad telecommunication policy issues to ensure that the Union’s activities, policies and strategies fully respond to today’s dynamic, rapidly changing telecommunications environment.
ITU Council reports on the policy and strategic planning of the ITU and responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the Union, coordinating work programmes, approving budgets and controlling finances and expenditure.
By Joshua W. Amlanu
