By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, on Thursday paid a working visit to the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations (MoCDTI) as part of her ongoing tour of sector ministries aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Presidency and government institutions.
Welcoming management and staff of the Ministry, the Vice President explained that the visit was intended to bridge perceived gaps between the Presidency and the Ministry, foster familiarity, and open direct channels of communication to enhance effective governance.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasised that governance must be people-centred and collaborative, stressing that the successful delivery of government policies requires strong coordination across all levels of the public service.
She commended the Minister and his team for their work over the past year and urged them to remain focused on delivering tangible results that advance national development.
The Vice President reaffirmed the Presidency’s commitment to supporting the Ministry, particularly in areas of legislative reforms, digital transformation, and the promotion of responsible communication in an era increasingly characterised by anonymity, misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. She underscored the importance of accountability in digital communications and warned that actions that threaten national peace must be firmly discouraged.
She also expressed keen interest in the government’s flagship One Million Coders Programme, describing it as a critical intervention for Ghana’s future workforce and digital economy.
Touching on efficiency and value for money, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the need to avoid duplication of ICT systems across government and to maximise the role of central institutions such as the National Information Technology Agency (NITA).
She commended ongoing efforts to break down silos within the public service, noting that Ghana’s limited resources must be used prudently.
In his remarks, the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, MP, outlined key achievements under the Ministry’s realigned mandate.
He disclosed that the Ministry had initiated the review of several outdated ICT-related laws, some of which are over two decades old.
These include legislation governing electronic communications, electronic transactions, cybersecurity and data protection, as well as efforts to establish a dedicated framework to address misinformation, disinformation and hate speech while safeguarding constitutional freedoms.
On digital skills development, the Minister reported significant progress on the One Million Coders Programme, including the acquisition of 20,000 custom-built laptops and strategic partnerships with global technology companies such as Google, MTN, Huawei and Telecel, with ongoing engagements with Microsoft, Apple and Amazon.
The programme is expected to roll out in at least 100 constituencies by the end of the first quarter, targeting 400,000 beneficiaries this year.
Hon. George further highlighted measures aimed at curbing waste in public ICT spending through strengthened oversight by NITA, improved inter-agency collaboration and enhanced data sovereignty protections.
He also cited improvements in passport delivery through partnerships with Ghana Post, progress in cybersecurity enforcement, advances in early warning systems for climate and agriculture, the expansion of rural connectivity by GIFEC, and the Ministry’s transition to a fully paperless internal administration.
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
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