ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
We must all agree that charlatans parading as Men of god instead of men of God and running all kinds of frivolous schemes in the name of God need to be driven out of the temple with the regulatory whip.
Money -doubling and get -rich-quick schemes being broadcast by unscrupulous fe tish priests have no place in our public broadcast.
Pornographic and sexually explicit content masquerading as adult relationship shows cannot be allowed to continue soiling the innocence of our national airwaves.
There must be sanity, and we must work tog ether to achieve the same.
We cannot put today’s profit ahead of tomorrow’s sanity.
Let us agree to develop a roadmap together to clean up our airwaves.
Way Forward The future of broadcasting in Ghana must be inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking.
To this end, five priorities deserve collective attention: 1.
Compliance with Authorisation Conditions: Authorisations must be used for their intended purpose.
Non -operational or persistently non -compliant stations weaken the ecosystem and compromise spectrum efficiency.
The regulator would withdraw such authorisations.
Digital Convergence and Hybrid Delivery: As the lines between terrestrial, satellite, and internet -based broadcasting become increasingly blurred, regulatory frameworks must evolve to support hybrid business models while safeguarding competition and consumer choice.
Capacity and Content Development: Investment in local content, professional standards, fact -checking, and media literacy is essential for maintaining credibility in a crowded information environment.
Technology Adoption: To improve efficiency and competitiveness in the digital environment, broadcasters must adopt emerging technologies to enhance content creation, production and distribution.
Regional Cooperation and Benchmarking: By learning from regional and global best practices, Ghana can strengthen its institutions and remain competitive in the continental and global media marketplace.
Conclusion Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the future of Ghana’s broadcasting sector must be anchored in fairness, innovation, and resilience .
It is our collective responsibility to ensure a media environment that protects consumers, nurtures talent, supports investment, and upholds the public interest.
We must agree that for our media landscape to remain profitable and viable, deep reforms and consolidations are necessary.
These must be embarked on as a collective effort between practitioners and the regulator.
We must restore the glory of what it meant to be a broadcast journalist.
We must strive to make the profession appealing to the best talent.
We stand at a crossroads, and the decisions we make today will determine the future of the sector , either its survival or complete demise.
We must be guided b y this ethos, that there can be no higher law in journalism than to tell the truth and shame the devil.
I urge all participants to translate the insights from today’s deliberations into concrete, implementable actions that will shape a broadcasting sector that is inclusive, competitive, and ready for the digital age.
Motsumi, Akpe na mi, Medaamoase, Mungode, Thank you.
1 | P a g e DRAFT STATEMENT DELIVERED BY HON.
SAMUEL NARTEY GEORGE, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION OF GHANA, DURING A FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE THE 62ND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE AFRICAN UNION, HELD ON 23RD MAY, 2025 AT THE FORECOURT OF STATE HOUSE HONOURABLE LINDA OBENEW AA AKWELEY OCLOO, GREATER ACCRA REGIONAL MINISTER, HONORABLE MINISTERS OF STATE HERE PRESENT YOUR EXCELLENCY MR.
MAHER KHEIR, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF LEBANON AND DEAN OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, YOUR EXCELLENCY MRS.
IMANE OUAADIL, DEAN OF THE AFRICAN GROUP OF AMBASSADORS, AND AMBASSADOR OF THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO TO GHANA, YOUR EXCELLENCY W AMKELE MENE, SECRETARY -GENERAL OF AFRICA CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (AFCFTA) SECRETARIAT, Excellencies, MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE GHANA ARMED FORCES AND OTHER SECURITY SERVICES RELIGIOUS AND TRADITIONAL LEADERS FRIENDS FROM HE MEDIA, DISTINGUISHED INVITED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, It is with a deep sense of honour that I stand before you today as we commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, now known as the African Union.
On 25 th May, 1963, visionary leaders from thirty -two (32) independent African states gathered in Addis Ababa with a vision to forge unity among African nations, to liberate the continent from the shackles of colonialism and apartheid, and to set Africa on a path of self - determination, peace, and prosperity.
2 | P a g e Today, 62 years on, the flame ignited by these pioneers continues to shine brightly .
The African Union, with its fifty -five (55) Member States , stands as a testament to our enduring commitment to integration, cooperation, and shared destiny.
Here in Ghana, we take particular pride in this day.
It was our first President, Osagyefo Dr.
Kwame Nkrumah, who championed the cause of Pan -Africanism with unequaled commitment.
His cry, “ Africa must unite!”
still echoes across our continent, inspiring generations to b elieve in the promise of a united and prosperous Africa.
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen As you may be aware, in February this year, the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama , as AU Champion for Reparati ve Justice launched the African Union theme for 2025 at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa.
The theme for the year 2025, "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations" denotes a significant opportunity for advancing the continent's efforts to address historical injustices.
This theme inspires us to embrace a collaborative approach to reparative justice, with the vision of fostering equitable opportunities for all.
The initiative also aligns with the AU’s Agenda 2063 for an integrated, peaceful and prosperous continent.
President John Dramani Mahama called on fellow Heads of State to collectively act in securing justice for Africans and individuals of African descent through reparations.
He urged leaders to continue to advocate for stronger legal and institutional mechani sms at the national, regional, and international levels to ensure that justice for the historical trauma inflicted on global Africa is not just a conversation, but a reality.
By prioritizing reparations, the African Union aims to address systemic racism and economic exclusion, thereby contributing to a more just and inclusive Africa.
The theme serves as an invitation for governments, civil society Organizations, and the African diaspora to unite in the pursuit of rectifying past wrongs and nurturing a future founded on justice and reconciliation.
3 | P a g e Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen This year’s celebration comes at a time when our continent is striving to overcome economic hardships, the impacts of climate change, conflict, and governance challenges.
Yet, we must not lose sight of our progress.
As we reflect on successes chalked by the AU including the hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered right here in Accra, it is worth commending our collective fight against pandemics and terrorism as the African continent continues to demonstrate its resilience and its capacity for homegrown solutions.
It is our shared values of solidarity, unity, and determination that have carried us this far.
And it is these same values that will carry us forward.
We must continue to deepen regional integration, strengthen democratic governance, and invest in our youth, who are not only the future of this continent, but its present.
We must also reaffirm our commitment to Silencing The Guns.
Peace and stability are the bedrock of development, and we owe it to our people, especially the women and children of Africa, to create a continent free of violence and fear.
Our collective values of solidarity, unity, and unwavering determination have propelled us to this pivotal moment in our journey, and it is these same guiding principles that will carry us into a brighter future.
We must strive to deepen regional integrati on, fostering stronger ties among nations, while also reinforcing democratic governance to ensure that every voice is heard and represented.
Furthermore, we must earnestly reaffirm our pledge to silence the guns and end conflict on our continent.
Peace and stability serve as the solid foundation for sustainable development, we have a profound responsibility to our people especially the women and children of Africa to cultivate a continent that is free from the shadows of violence and fear, allowing every individual to thrive in safety and dignity.
Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen As we hoist the flag of the African Union and celebrate our shared commitment to unity and cooperation among member states, let it stand as a powerful symbol of our collective pride, unwavering purpose, and renewed commitment to shaping the Africa we envision; “THE AFRICA WE WANT, a continent that is peaceful, prosperous, and deeply integrated.
This is a continent 4 | P a g e driven by the passion and determination of its own citizens, poised to rise as a force to reckon with on the global stage, inspiring others with its creativity and resilience.
Long live the African Union!
Long live the Republic of Ghana!
May God bless our beloved homeland and empower both our nation and our continent to reach new heights of excellence and unity.
1 SPEECH DELIVERED BY HON.
URSULA OWUSU -EKUFUL (MP), MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITALISATION, AT THE GRAND FINALE OF THE 2024 MS.
GEEK GHANA COMPETITION HELD AT ACCRA CITY HOTEL, ON 8TH AUGUST 2024 AT 10:00 AM Hon.
Deputy Minister, Chief Director Esteemed Sponsors Heads of Institutions Invited Guests Distinguished Judges Finalists and Participants of the Ms.
Geek Ghana Competition, Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen Good morning!
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the Grand Finale of the Second Edition of the 2024 Ms.
Geek Ghana competition.
This event holds a special place in our hearts as it illustrates our remarkable strides in ICT and digital innovation, particularly among girls and young women in Ghana.
When I launched the Ms.
Geek Ghana competition on 18th June 2024, I did indicate that this competition is the intersection of technology and gender empowerment.
We believe that women have the power to shape the future of te chnology and Government is committed to providing a platform for them to do so.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, t he Ms.
Geek competition is an entrepreneurial competition that originated as Ms.
Geek Rwanda in 2014 but was renamed Miss Geek Africa in 2017.
The purpose of this is to create awareness 2 and encourage young girls between the ages of 13 and 21 to submit solutions that solve socio­ economic problems through technological innovations.
So today, we will celebrate not just a contest but a movement that transcends borders, challenges norms, and empowers women in technology.
As we stand at the threshold of a digital revolution, we acknowledge that gender equality is not merely an aspirational goal but a fundamental necessity.
Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, we are committed to this course.
Initiatives such as Ms.
Geek Ghana serve as our compass, directing us towards a future where every girl, young lady or woman is afforded a seat at the technology table.
Today, we will celebrate the culmination of weeks of hard work, creativity, and innovation.
The Ms.
Geek Ghana competition has provided a platform for young women nationwide to showcase their talents in technology and innovation.
We will experience the incredible potential and brilliance in creativity and innovation exhibited by the ten finalists.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, after the launch of the second edition of the Ms.
Geek Ghana competition, applications were called through various media platforms and at the end of the submission deadline, 18th July 2024, we received a total of sixty-six (66) applications from young girls between the ages of 13 to 21 years across the country.
This was a clear sign that the women and the young girls of this generation are ready to embrace the new narrative and paradigm shift that proves that to be a woman goes beyond beauty.
As part of the competition, fifteen (15) applications were shortlisted to participate in a one (1) week residential master class training from Sunday 28 th July to 3 Saturday 3rd August 2024.
I want to acknowledge the tireless efforts our judges and selection team put into critically analysing our applicants to ensure that the deserving girls were shortlisted.
Through the masterclass, ten (10) out of the fifteen (15) shortlisted applications were selected through an impressive display of talent, innovation and technological ingenuity.
Their projects, ranging from environmental sustainability to healthcare digitization and agriculture management has showcased the power of technology in solving crucial societal challenges.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you our 10 finalists in no particular order and their innovative ideas.
………………………………………………………………………………… Richardson Elorm, 21 years, Greater Accra Region (Worker) Richardson's project, "E -Waste Evolution," aims to revolutionize the e -waste management sector.
Her digital platform connects users, collectors, recyclers, and regulatory bodies to streamline e -waste collection and recycling.
The platform offers collection scheduling, educational resources, and product tracking, ensuring a more efficient and environmentally friendly approach to managing electronic waste.
Leticia Makafui Ahiamadzi , 20 years, University of Ghana, Level 200, Greater Accra Region Leticia's project focuses on digitizing the environmental sector using geospatial technologies.
Her web -based data collection system utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and web platforms like OpenStreetMap to collect and analyze data on environmental risks.
This 4 innovative solution addresses challenges such as flooding, pollution, seismic activity, and illegal mining, providing crucial information to mitigate these risks.
Hannibel Opokuwaa Nyarko, 13 years, JHS 1, Hill View Montessori, Greater Accra Region Hannibel's project, "MumCare Connect," is a mobile health application designed to support maternal and child health.
The app provides essential health information, telemedicine services, and emergency response features.
It offers personalized health tips, reminders for prenatal and postnatal care, and virtual consultations with healthcare professionals, ensuring that pregnant women receive the care they need, especially in remote areas.
Mansura Abdullah, 14 years, JHS 2, Services JHS, Greater Accra Region Mansura's "MyHealthQuest-MHQ" is an internet-based mobile app that provides 24/7 healthcare services to registered users.
The app allows patients to chat with doctors, book appointments, and get their prescription or lab test fulfilled.
It is a user-friendly application that will be available on Play Store, with additional support for non-smartphone users via short codes and SMS.
The app ensures that healthcare is accessible and convenient for all.
Belicia Suboksim Asigri, 13 years, JHS 1, Services JHS, Greater Accra Region Belicia's project, "HealthPal," is a caregiver assistance bot designed to support individuals with chronic illnesses or those requiring continuous monitoring.
The bot integrates sensors, wearables, and an alert system to provide real-time health monitoring, medication management, and emergency response.
Accessible via a mobile app or smart device, HealthPal aims to ease the burden on caregivers and improve the quality of care for patients.
5 Adelaide Mante, 15 years, Aburi Girl’s Senior High School, Year 3, Eastern Region Adelaide's "Smart Agriculture System" addresses the challenges of climate change and aims to improve crop yields.
By integrating smart technologies, her project enhances agricultural productivity and sustainability, ensuring that farmers can adapt to chang ing environmental conditions and secure better harvests.
Tenu Mawusi Harriet, 12 years, Junior High School, Year 3, Good New Academy, Oti Region Tenu's project, "Agri Connect," is a digital platform designed to empower smallholder farmers.
The platform provides essential agricultural information, market data, financial services, and educational resources through a mobile app and web interface.
This initiative will support farmers in making informed decisions and improving their livelihoods.
Wendy S. Kumi-Agbodza, 17 years, Ola SHS, Year 2, Volta Region Wendy's "Farm Connect App" addresses rural accessibility issues by offering an offline mode through SMS.
This feature allows farmers to operate and trade without internet access, providing crucial agricultural information and market access.
Her project ensures that even farmers in remote areas can benefit from digital tools.
Emmanuella A. M. Bronya, 14 years, JHS 2, Services JHS, Greater Accra Region Emmanuella's project, "AquaSentry," is a robotic fish equipped with sensors to monitor aquaculture activities.
The robofish, programmed in C++, uses temperature, pH, and turbidity sensors to mimic the behaviour of a real fish in a pond.
It employs an Arduino Uno Board as its brain, an ESP32 camera as its eye, 6 and a mobile phone for internet connectivity, enabling real -time monitoring and data collection for aquaculture management.
And the last but definitely not the least….
Bottozah Biana Bubune, 21 years, University of Mines and Technology, Level 300, Western Region Bottozah's project utilizes IoT -connected seismic sensors and data analytics to monitor illegal mining activities in remote areas.
Her mobile application ensures real-time data transmission and addresses the issue of limited internet connectivity in these regions, providing a robust solution to combat illegal mining and its environmental impact.
…………………………………………………………………………………… Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to commend all our talented selected ten finalists, you have already achieved so much by reaching this stage of the competition, I salute you.
Your dedication, late nights of coding, and innovative ideas are the building blocks of progress.
Your projects and ideas have impressed us; you should be incredibly proud of your accomplishments.
Whether you win today or not, remember that your impact extends beyond this stage.
This is just the beginning of your journey.
Th e skills and experiences you have gained will serve you well in your future endeavours.
As you move forward, I encourage you to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Embrace challenges, seek out new opportunities, and never stop learning.
Your passion and determination will be the driving force behind your success.
Keep using ICT to solve societal challenges.
Each line of code and each algorithm contributes to a better world.
7 I wish to acknowledge our benevolent sponsors for their support.
Your dedication towards investing in the dreams of these young girls makes you our unsung heroes behind the Ms.
Your commitment to this cause has made this event a success.
I take this opportunity to express our gratitude and call for even more support to extend our reach as we continue to empower and uplift our girls across the country.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to announce that the eventual winner of the 2024 Ms.
Geek Ghana competition will not only be awarded a prestigious title and a cash prize but will also be groomed and prepared for a fully funded trip to participate in the Ms.
Geek Africa contest.
It was originally scheduled to take place during the Transform Africa Summit from 28-30 August 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.
However, due to some happenings in Kenya, the organizers have postponed the event to 2025.
This will ev en give us more time to groom our winner today to be able to compete in the Ms.
Geek Africa context.
On th e continental stage, our Ms Geek Ghana champion will be allowed to showcase her innovative ideas on the African stage and rub shoulders with brilliant minds from other African countries.
It is worth noting that our last Ms Geek Ghana winner, Ms Sellasie Domi- Kuwonu, who is here with us today, is the current Ms.
Geek Africa champion .
This is to inspire all of you girls competing today that "It Is Possible”, and I believe that everyone here can achieve great things, so you will go on to retain our title.
The first and second runners -up will also receive cash prizes and business training, so I encourage you to give your best.
Finally, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors, participants, judges, organizers, and everyone who has contributed to the success of this event.
Your efforts are helping to shape a brighter and more inclusive future for all.
8 Let us continue to support and inspire each other as we work towards a society where everyone, regardless of gender, can excel and make a difference.
Let us build a future where gender is no barrier, technology knows no bounds, and every girl’s dream becomes a reality.
Thank you, and I wish all the finalists the best in this finale.
May your creativity and innovation shine through today and always.
BRIEFING BY THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITALISATION TO PARLIAMENT ON INTERNET DISRUPTION IN GHANA AS A RESULT OF THE DAMAGE TO SUBMARINE CABLES 18th March, 2024 1.Introduction 1.1.In the early hours of 14 th March, 2024, The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and the National Communications Authority (NCA) were notified of internet disruptions on both the Telecel and MTN networks which had caused a major loss of internet service.
1.2.Investigations revealed that there had been multiple undersea cable disruptions that had affected Mobile Data and Fixed Data services nationwide on MTN and Telecel.
The AT network had not experienced any disruption.
The current internet outage is deeply concerning and has impacted several countries across west Africa including Ghana.
The country has six subsea cables with the first submarine fiber cable landed in Ghana by the SAT-3 consortium of which the Government of Ghana through Ghana Telecom was a member.
Until October 2023 Ghana had five (5) Submarine Cable Providers; SAT-3, MainOne, WACS, Glo and ACE and another cable from the Facebook/Meta led 2Africa consortium landed in November 2023.This 2Africa cable will be live in the fourth quarter this year.
For clarity, this incident may have been caused by a landslide that has wiped out most of the fiber cables between Ghana and Europe that have a landing station here.
A separate event in the red sea has cut fibers going around the other direction from Africa to Europe.
By chance, there are two cables that have been unaffected: Google/Equiano cable and Angola to Brazil cables.
However, these cannot support the lost capacity with the same quality levels, and the same latency within a reasonable time.
2.Risk Mitigating Measures by the NCA 2.1.In 2020, during the Covid, the National Communications Authority (NCA) engaged the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to assess their current capacities and redundancies to submarine cable providers and ensure that they have the necessary environment to provide reliable services to all subscribers.
2.2.The NCA realised that the MNOs and Broadband Wireless Access Providers were connected to only one or two submarine cable providers.
In order to mitigate any risk from a national emergency point of view, the NCA issued directives to the MNOs and Surfline, in a letter dated 30th April 2020 (copy attached), that the service providers should establish and maintain physical cable connections to at least three (3) submarine cable providers operating in Ghana.
2.3.The NCA also indicated in the directive that all redundant cable connections should be capable of being lighted within twenty-four hours (24 hours) in the event of outage on their primary links.