ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
URSULA OWUSU-EKUFUL – HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITALISATION AT THE CLOSE OUT EVENT OF THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PROJECT ON 27TH JUNE, 2024 MIKLIN HOTEL – KUMASI Hon.
Simon Osei-Mensah – Ashanti Regional Minister Hon.
Sam Pyn – Metropolitan Chief Executive Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications & Digitalisation Members of the Board of Trustees of GIFEC Mrs.
Eva Andoh-Poku – Administrator of GIFEC Ms.
Susan Teltscher – Head, Capacity and Skills Development, BDT – ITU Robyn Fysh – Senior Project Manager – ITU Nananom Distinguished invited guests Our friends from the media Ladies and gentlemen Page 2 of 6 Good morning, I am elated to be here this morning for the closeout event of the “Boosting Digital Skills through Digital Transformation Centres Project ” (DTC) in Ghana.
This initiative stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring every Ghanaian embraces the digital age, leaving no one behind in our journey towards socio-economic advancement.
Introduction As the Ministry responsible for championing government’s digitalisation agenda, this initiative is in line with our objective of ensuring that no Ghanaian is left out in the digitalisation process .
We are driving socio-economic transformation through investments and provision of appropriate legal and institutional framework for access, usage, affordability and participation.
We are determined to provide the necessary digital infrastructure, a conducive legal and regulatory environment, building digital capabilities to enhance the adoption and use of ICT and digital innovation, and closing all digital gaps to propel our digital transformation.
The Ministry’s Interventions in Capacity Building The Ministry is aware of the need to build an inclusive society by addressing gaps in the digital ecosystem, particularly in the areas of gender and marginalized communities.
We are therefore keenly interested in developing the capacity of females to bridge this gap.
In 2017, we enhanced the ITU’s Girls in ICT Day Celebration from a day’s event to a week’s residential training for girls between the ages of 9 to 15, in basic ICT and Coding.
The objective is to introduce girls to ICT and arouse their interest in Science Page 3 of 6 Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers.
Since the beginning of this initiative, 1,100 teachers and 12,981 girls have been trained.
1,776 laptops have been given out, with 97 ICT labs equipped in basic schools of winners as part of the project.
We cannot talk about the Girls in ICT without mentioning these significant impacts: beneficiaries have acquired new ICT skills, increased interest of girls pursuing STEM programmes, ICT teachers have also been equipped with new skills.
Finally, the project has increased employable skills of beneficiaries at the tertiary level.
We have recently concluded the training of 100 teachers in the Greater Accra Region, who are currently training 1,000 girls.
We will be replicating this effort in the Ashanti and V olta Regions in the next few months.
I am pleased to inform you that for the sustainability of the Initiative, we are in the process of restructuring the Girls in ICT Initiative into a Trust, to ensure the project transcends beyond Governments.
The Boosting Digital Skills Through Digital Transformation Centres Project The DTC Initiative could not have come at a better time – during the outbreak and height of the COVID -19 pandemic when schools had closed down and countries were on lockdown.
Technology's significance was amplified as most activities, events, commerce, meetings, and even church services required the use of the internet and Information and Communication s Technology (ICT) applications and services.
I am glad to have been part of this initiative, right from inception, through to closure; an initiative that aligns with our goal of ensuring digital inclusion in every part of the country.
In January 2020, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, Page 4 of 6 together with our partners: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) , Cisco and with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) as the implementing Agency, introduced the DTC to train at least 17,200 Ghanaians in basic and intermediate digital skills within three years.
Target beneficiaries include women entrepreneurs, out -of-school youth, students, school teachers, and people with disabilities, all of whom have gained essential digital skills required for success in today's market.
I am elated to announce that we have exceeded this target by training 22,263 citizens in basic ICT and entrepreneurial skills, 68% of them being female.
Last year, the project partners collaborated with the ST Microelectronics Foundation to offer specialized training for people with visual impairments.
This innovative initiative has already empowered 470 individuals by equipping them with the skills needed through the "Introduction to Computer Basics for the Visually Impaired (ICBVI)" training course.
The goal is to enhance their independence, employability, and social inclusion Key Achievements I am proud to announce the following additional key achievements chalked since the inception of the project: • We have established 30 active coding clubs in schools, and trained 1,500 school children, mostly girls, in Scratch and Python computer programming, and robotics.
• 1,271 kids have graduated from the coding clubs, with 300 more in training.
Page 5 of 6 • Training of 220 certified trainers stationed at GIFEC Community ICT Centers (CICs) and Cyberlabs.
• Additionally, we have renovated five (5) Community ICT Centers (CICs) in Karaga, Bonwire, Bawku, Zebilla and Obomeng.
• 11 CICs have been equipped with 88 computers and accessories.
Through these outcomes, we are confident that the project has significantly enhanced digital inclusion by broadening access to digital skills and technologies, which is crucial for participating in the digital society.
We have narrowed the gender gap by empowering women and enhancing their economic wellbeing through the provision of digital skills.
As we reflect on the profound impact of our collective efforts, we remain steadfast in our commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 , particularly in advancing gender equality through digital inclusion.
The successes we celebrate today are but stepping stones towards a future where every Ghanaian can harness the full potential of digital technology.
I urge all stakeholders, from policymakers to educators, entrepreneurs to innovators, and citizens alike, to join hands in advancing our digital agenda.
Together, let us continue to innovate, empower, and transform, ensuring that our nation emerges as a leader in the global digital landscape.
Conclusion In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the ITU, NORAD Cisco and GIFEC, as well as Centre Managers, Regional Managers and the beneficiaries whose unwavering dedication has made today's achievements possible.
Let us carry forward the spirit of innovation and inclusivity as we look forward to embarking on the next phase of our digital journey.
Page 6 of 6 Thank you all for your attention.
1 Wednesday, April 22, 2026 REMARKS BY THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATION, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATIONS, HON.
SAMUEL NARTEY GEORGE, AT THE 2026 CISO SUMMIT ON THE THEME: "BOARDROOM CONVERSATIONS: ELEVATING CYBERSECURITY TO A BUSINESS PRIORITY" HELD AT THE KEMPINSKI HOTEL, ACCRA.
2 Distinguished Chairperson, Leadership of Sapient Envision and Innovare Group, The Founder, e-Crime Bureau and former Director General of the CSA, Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, Chief Information Security Officers, Industry Leaders, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, Good morning.
I am pleased to join you at the 2026 CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) Summit.
This gathering continues to grow in importance as Ghana advances its digital transformation journey.
I commend Sapient Envision, a subsidiary of the Innovare Group, for consistently convening this summit.
They have created a platform that brings cybersecurity leadership into executive and boardroom discussions.
This year’s theme underscores the importance of prioritising cybersecurity in boardroom discussions for sustainable business success.
Ladies and gentlemen, across Ghana and the world, digital transformation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace.
Government services are being digitised, more financial transactions are taking place online, and businesses are migrating to cloud environments.
Meanwhile, emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence are reshaping industries.
However, these advancements also bring an expanded threat landscape.
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, global cybercrime costs are projected to grow by 15 per cent per year over the next five years.
By the end of 2025, they are expected to reach 10.5 trillion dollars annually, up from US$3 trillion in 2015.
The financial sector remains a primary target.
The International Monetary Fund, in its April 2024 Global Financial Stability Report, revealed that over the past two decades, 20 per cent of reported cyber incidents have affected the global financial sector, resulting in direct losses of over US$12 billion.
Ghana is not immune.
Cybersecurity now impacts revenue, operations, reputation, customer trust, and national security.
It is a boardroom-level business imperative.
The government recognises that a secure digital ecosystem needs deliberate investments.
These include digital skills, infrastructure, and governance.
Under the Reset Ghana Agenda, the government is pursuing a modern, inclusive, and secure digital economy.
This economy is driven by knowledge, powered by innovation, and grounded 3 in national sovereignty.
This vision places cybersecurity at the core of Ghana’s national development strategy.
Reflecting this commitment, the Ministry is implementing key initiatives to strengthen Ghana’s digital resilience.
One flagship initiative is the One Million Coders Programme.
It aims to train one million Ghanaians in digital and coding skills to support Ghana’s growing digital economy.
The programme is officially scheduled to be rolled out in May 2026, following pilot ing with 859 participants.
Encouragingly, 52 per cent were female, reflecting our commitment to inclusive digital development.
As part of this initiative, 130 learning centres across Ghana's 16 regions are being equipped with laptops.
This supports hands -on training and the development of digital skills.
The programme will not only build Ghana’s digital workforce, but also.
It wil l also strengthen our cybersecurity capacity by producing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, developers, and digital innovators.
Beyond skills development, the government is also implementing a bold Digital Jobs Initiative.
This three-billion-dollar public-private partnership aims to create sustainable technology-driven jobs.
Through this effort, Regional Digital Centres are being developed to expand Business Process Outsourcing and Knowledge Process Outsourcing.
Zonal ICT Parks are being established to drive innovation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital entrepreneurship.
Parks such as the Dawa ICT Park will be re developed into global-standard centres of excellence.
The government is also implementing a 50 -million-dollar FinTech Growth Fund to support indigenous startups and accelerate Ghana’s digital finance ecosystem.
These investments align with the 24 -Hour Economy Initiative, which is not only a job -creation strategy but also a digital resilience strategy.
A 24 -hour economy requires round -the- clock secure systems, resilient infrastructure, and continuous monitoring.
This further reinforces the need to elevate cybersecurity to the highest levels of organisational governance.
Ladies and gentlemen, Ghana has made significant strides in strengthening its cybersecurity governance and regulatory framework.
We are grateful to all stakeholders for their contributions and feedback.
Your ongoing support helps us build a resilient and secure digital ecosystem.
As Ghana advances its digital transformation agenda, including digital public services, fintech innovation, smart infrastructure, artificial intelligence solutions, and a 24 -hour digital economy, cybersecurity must remain foundational to our progress.
4 We must therefore: • Strengthen collaboration between government and industry • Invest in cybersecurity talent and skills development • Promote board-level cybersecurity governance • Encourage information sharing across sectors • Build resilient and secure digital infrastructure Ladies and gentlemen, the future of Ghana’s digital economy depends on trust.
Trust depends on security.
And security depends on leadership.
Let us make cybersecurity a boardroom focus to ensure it remains a strategic priority for every business.
Once again, I commend Sapient Envision, the Cyber Security Authority, and all partners for their continued collaboration in strengthening Ghana’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
On this note, I wish you fruitful deliberations and a successful 2026 CISO Summit.
Thank you, and may God bless our homeland, Ghana.
1 JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATION, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATIONS ON THE OUTCOME OF THE STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE ON DSTV PRICING IN GHANA Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the media, On 7th September, 2025, I provided an update on the engagements with MultiChoice on the pricing of the DSTV service in Ghana which culminated in the establishment of a Stakeholder Committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, the National Communications Authority, MultiChoice Africa and MultiChoice Ghana.
The Committee, chaired by the Minister, had two clear objectives: 1.
To achieve a shared understanding of DStv pricing for Ghana and to agree on structured, mutually acceptable, and commercially viable measures to address concerns around the pricing of the DStv service.
To establish an acceptable roadmap to curb cross-border piracy of DStv decoders and services from Nigeria to Ghana.
Today, I am joined by the members of the Stakeholder Committee including the CEO, PayTV Rest of Africa and Managing Director of MultiChoice Ghana as well as the Director General of the NCA to report the outcome of the Committee’s work.
I must commend the commitment of all the members of the Committee to achieving the outcomes within the rigid time period, during which MultiChoice Africa was going through a shareholder transition.
I acknowledge the mutual respect and candour throughout the Committee’s deliberations.
We will start with the outcome of the Committee’s deliberations on: Cross-Border Piracy The Committee considered the issue of cross-border piracy of DStv decoders from Nigeria into Ghana, which has for years deprived the State of tax revenue, transferred jobs from Ghana to Nigeria and denied some unsuspecting consumers of good customer service.
To address this, the Committee recommended the establishment of a Working Group with representation from: • Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations • National Communications Authority • Cyber Security Authority • Ghana Domain Name Registry • National Information Technology Agency • Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority • Ghana Police Service • MultiChoice Africa and 2 • MultiChoice Ghana I will work with the heads of the above agencies to establish the Working Group in due course to comprehensively tackle this issue.
Now to the outcome of the Committee’s deliberation on: Evaluation of DStv Pricing The Committee deliberated on the pricing of the DStv service, considered various factors including the cost factors, the macro-economic environment of Ghana, subscription volume trends, among others, discussed and provided input on several options considered by MultiChoice Africa and arrived at an outcome that will deliver better value to all subscribers in Ghana.
MultiChoice Africa has committed to implement an unprecedented increased value offer only in Ghana which will result in Ghanaian DStv subscribers getting more services for less.
Depending on the DStv package chosen, subscribers will get between 33% to 50% more value.
The new arrangements, effective from 1st October, 2025 are as follows: Table 1 – DStv Increased value- Bouquet Offerings from 1st October, 2025 No.
Bouquet Monthly Pricing Gets to Watch Value % cost savings 1.
Padi GHS 59 Access GHS99 Up to 35 more channels 40% 2.
Access GHS 99 Family GHS 190 Up to 19 more channels 48% 3.
Family GHS190 Compact GHS 380 Up to 22 more channels including live football matches 50% 4.
Compact GHS 380 Compact + GHS 570 Up to 12 more channels 33% 5.
Compact + GHS570 Premium GHS 865 Up to 18 more channels 34% 6.
Premium Bouquet GHS 865 All content on the flagship Premium bouquet Automatic entry into a competition for a chance to win a fully paid trip to watch selected English Premier League matches (subject to terms and conditions to be communicated) There is no restriction on a subscriber’s choice of a bouquet.
This offer is available to both existing and new customers from 1st October 2025.
Effectively, MultiChoice has offered value over and above what we requested of them following extensive engagement and I want to commend them for their goodwill towards subscribers in 3 Ghana.
The Committee is of the view that this increased-value offer addresses government's concerns, reduces pressure on Ghanaian households while ensuring the sustainability of the DStv service in Ghana.
MultiChoice Africa will also provide a GHS555 subsidy for the Zapper decoder and dish kit.
New customers will therefore be able to get the Zapper and dish kit at 50% of the current price.
The Committee will reconvene in three (3) months to evaluate the impact of this initiative.
This will be a periodic exercise.
Fellow Ghanaians, the message today is simple: the Government of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama is on your side and MultiChoice is a responsive business.
I thank the Ghanaian public for their support and patience.
29th September, 2025 – Accra
SAMUEL NARTEY GEORGE, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATION, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOV ATION (MoCDTI), AT THE 2025 WORLD TELECOMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY (WTISD) – 19TH MAY 2025 United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr.
Charles Abanni, Representative of the ITU Secretary General, Ag.
Director General of the NCA, Ministries and Chief Executives of Agencies present, Chief Executives and Representatives of Service Providers/Industry Players present, Management and Staff of NCA, Distinguished Speakers, Our friends from the Media, Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, All Protocol duly observed, Good morning.
It is a great honour to welcome you to this year ’s celebration of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, a day that reminds us of our shared responsibility to ensure that digital transformation delivers benefits to everyone, everywhere.
I begin by expressing my gratitude to each one of you for being here.
Your presence affirms the importance of today’s theme and the urgency with which we must act.
The theme for this year, “Gender Equality in Digital Transformation, ” resonates strongly with Sustainable Development Goal 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empowe r all women and girls.
It is a timely reminder that the digital revolution must be inclusive.
The digital age should not be defined solely by speed or access; it must also be about inclusion, empowerment, and equity.
We must acknowledge that digital transf ormation is not gender -neutral.
That is precisely why we are gathered here , not merely to celebrate progress, but to challenge the status quo and catalyse meaningful change.
Just three weeks ago, I reiterated my Ministry ’s unwavering commitment to the Girls-in-ICT Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at bridging the gender digital divide by equipping girls with skills in STEM.
This initiative is not charity; it is strategy.
A digital economy that excludes women is one that limits its own potential.
I urge all stakeholders, public and private alike to invest deliberately in the futures of our girls.
And to the agencies under my Ministry, let me be candid: when you are presented with equally qualified candidates, choose the woman who shows promise.
Let us mo ve beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to empower women through action.
Let us take a hard look at the facts.
Globally, 62 percent of men are online, compared to just 57 percent of women.
In Least Developed Countries, only 30 percent of women have inte rnet access, versus 43 percent of men.
Women are 7 percent less likely than men to own a mobile phone.
In Sub -Saharan Africa, the gender gap in mobile internet use is a staggering 32 percent.
Even in more advanced economies, women account for only 20 perce nt of ICT professionals.
And it ’s not just about access, safety is a growing concern.
One in three women globally has experienced online violence.
This invisible wall silences voices, limits participation, and hampers innovation.
These figures are not just statistics, they are manifestations of systemic inequality that demand targeted policy, focused investment, and collective resolve.
So, what must we do?
We need to take deliberate steps to dismantle the barriers that prevent women and girls from fully par ticipating in the digital world.
I propose we concentrate our efforts on three critical areas.
First, digital education and mentorship.
We must multiply opportunities such as today’s workshop, platforms where women lead, learn, and lift each other.
We must introduce girls to technology early and often mentor them consistently and invest in their success.
This is how we build a pipeline of confident, capable women in tech.
Second, infrastructure and access.
Skills mean little without tools.
We must expand infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas, to ensure that access is not a privilege, but a right.
We must build ICT centres, equip them with adequate resources, and make digital spaces safe and inclusive for all.
Third, leadership and policy.
Represe ntation matters.
Women must be more than participants in the digital economy; they must be leaders.
We will ensure that women are not only present in decision -making rooms but that they actively shape policy and direct the course of our digital future.
The Government of Ghana is actively building the groundwork for a more inclusive digital future.
At the heart of this effort is the One Million Coders Programme , our flagship initiative aimed at equipping young Ghanaians with essential digital skills to thrive and lead in the 21st-century economy.
A key focus of the programme is the intentional inclusion of girls and women.
The ongoing pilot in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga proudly reflects this commitment, achieving a 50/50 gender balance.
As the Pre sident aptly stated at the programme ’s launch, “ we are setting a standard and i nclusivity will no longer be a footnote; it will be the foundation.”
Our broadband expansion efforts are bringing high -speed internet to underserved regions, levelling the playing field for all.
The National Information Highway, powered by 5G and fibre optics, will soon connect communities, schools, and businesses across the country.
Additionally, we are in the final stages of developing a National Digital Policy that will guide the ethical and inclusive deployment of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Our approach to cybersecurity includes not only regulatory enhancement but also capacity building, ensuring that our citizens , especially women can navigate digital spaces safely.
I am particularly pleased that today ’s celebration features an all -women workshop spearheaded by the NCA.
This is not symbolic, but it is strategic.
I expect the session to produce actionable outcomes.
I look forward to personally revie wing the report from this workshop, and I assure you that its insights will inform our policy direction.
I anticipate the report will focus on mentorship strategies, skill -building pathways, and the creation of safe spaces for sharing experiences.