Ghana, is hosting the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Regional Development Forum 2018 at the Accra International Conference from today Wednesday, July 18 to 20.
The ITU is the global and specialized agency of the United Nations with a membership of 191 States, with responsibility for the regulation, standardization, coordination and development of international telecommunications.
The event, is expected to provide a high-level dialogue between the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) and decision makers of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Member States and Sector Members.
Deputy Minister for Communications, George Andah made the announcement Monday, July 16 during a press briefing in Accra.
The forum will focus on five major initiatives which will include; Building Digital Economies and Fostering Innovation in Africa, Promotion of Emerging Broadband Technologies and Building Trust and Security in the use of Telecommunications/Information and Communication Technology
Other areas to be discussion are; Strengthening Human and Institutional Capacity Building, Management and Monitoring of the Radio Frequency Spectrum and Transition to Digital Broadcasting.
Mr Andah said the forum comes at critical time of government’s resolve to focus on the digital agenda as well as the application of projects.
“When we talk about creating a digital economy, these are the three key things that need to be in place for us to be able to have a digital economy take off smoothly. I think that we are on the right path and that is one of the reasons why the ITU decided to accept our request to host this conference in Ghana,” he indicated.
Government earlier this year launched the implementation of the GhanaCard, Mobile Interoperability, and the Digital Addressing System.
According to him, the ITU community agreed to make Ghana the host country of this year’s conference with the theme; ‘ICT? SDGs: Towards the Implementation of WTDC17 Outcomes’ which is in partnership with the Ministry of Communications.
Andrew Rugege, Regional Director for Africa of ITU, on his part said the role of ICT has a critical role in transforming digital economies. Adding, it is crucial for Africa to get involved in the growing technological world.
Rugege, stressed that it is crucial that ICT gets to everyone, adding if well prioritized, will enhance some major developmental changes for growing economies.
By Mawuli Y. Ahorlumegah
