Minister-Designate for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has pledged to expand internet and electricity access across Ghana, especially in rural areas.
During his vetting in Parliament, he emphasized that the government would take decisive steps to bridge the digital divide.
“One of my marching orders is to ensure universal access. Just this past week, His Excellency was in Kenya, where he signed up for universal access to electricity and internet on the African continent,” he stated.
He said the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) will be expanded into a Digital Economy Development Fund to drive rural connectivity.
He also announced plans for Ghana’s long-overdue digital switch-over to improve internet access.
“Ghana should have completed this process in 2015, but it didn’t happen. We will get it done, which will open up TV white spaces and improve connectivity,” he said.
He further promised that telecommunications equipment purchased by the previous administration but left unused would be put to use.
“We will prioritize making sure that the equipment bought with taxpayers’ money and left in warehouses for two years is used for the benefit of Ghanaians,” he said.
