The Ghana Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR) have opened the 2024 Ghana IGF Forum, bringing together key stakeholders from government, private sector, civil society, and academia to discuss the future of Ghana’s digital landscape.
The purpose of the forum is to help create opportunities for economic growth.
The event was held with the theme: “Empowering Sustainable Development of Our Digital Future”.
This year’s gathering was centered around Ghana’s ongoing digital change and collective efforts to guarantee a safe, comprehensive, and economical digital economy.
Opening the occasion at the Ghana-Indian Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE) in Accra), the Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Charles Acheampong (MP), praised the Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR) for organizing the forum.
He emphasized the significance of digital technologies in closing social divides and opening up new avenues for economic gowth for all communities.
Hon. Charles Acheampong made the following statement on behalf of the Sector Minister, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP):
“The Ghana IGF has evolved into a pivotal platform for our digital transformation, providing a unique space for multistakeholder dialogue. It allows government, industry, and civil society to come together to shape policies and propose solutions to accelerate Ghana’s digital future”.
“There is no gainsaying that the GDNR has been instrumental in driving the Internet Governance Forum in Ghana over the years. The local domain name space is one of the backbones of our digital economy, and the Registry continues its efforts to make the .GH domain a flagship extension for all Ghanaians and Ghana-based companies. Their work in raising awareness, building capacity within the local Internet community, and hosting the DNS Forum in Ghana deserves our commendation”.
He added that the collective vision of utilizing digital technologies to foster sustainable development and inclusive growth in Ghana resonates deeply.
“Central to our efforts not to leave anyone behind is the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital inclusion Project which to date has constructed over 1,010 cell sites across the country, expanding mobile and broadband coverage to underserved and unserved communities. These initiatives have brought essential communication services to millions of Ghanaians who were previously excluded from the digital revolution. Additionally, the establishment of Community”
“Information Centres and digital inclusion programs is equipping citizens with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital economy”, he noted.
The National Roaming Policy has made it possible for communities in rural areas to connect with ease across communities. This approach highlights Ghana’s obligation to crossing over the digital partition.
Throughout this time, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) maintains its leadership role in developing a comprehensive cybersecurity system to protect the country from evolving cyber threats.
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Mr Acheampong said, Ghana’s position as a global digital hub and the protection of its citizens both depend on the CSA’s work. With the rising significance of community safety, Ghana’s proactive measures act as a benchmark for digitalized flexibility on the continent.
Mr. Acheampong emphasized the Ministry’s Digital Economy Policy, which aims to improve citizens’ quality of life, governance, and economic growth through ICT. The policy focuses on reducing the gender digital divide and covers important topics like cybersecurity, innovation, digital infrastructure, and digital literacy.
The Deputy Minister expressed optimism that the insights from Ghana IGF 2024 would contribute to the global discussion on building a digital future with multiple stakeholders in Saudi Arabia later this year.
