Ghana reviewing ICT policy

Takoradi, May 12, GNA - Mr Ernest Attuquaye Armah, Deputy Minister of Communications, on Wednesday said the National ICT for accelerated development (ICTAAD) Policy was being reviewed to meet changing developmental objectives and priorities. He said the ICTAAD was also being streamlined to respond to changes in global economy and advances in the technological environment. He was speaking on: 93Ongoing Policy Reforms in the ICT Sector-Opportunities for the Nation's Private Sector," at the 2nd Business Executives Luncheon and meeting of the Western and Central Regional Branch of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) in Takoradi. Mr Armah said the issues under review included Broadband, Cyber Security, ICTs, Climate Change, Environmental and Geo-Information Policies. He said to address the security issues associated with using ICT systems and the cyberspace, the Ministry was developing the Cyber Security Bill, which would take into consideration industry and business concerns. Mr Armah said the Data Protection and Electronic Communications Regulations Bills were before Parliament for consideration and passage into law. He said the focus of the Ministry was to build people-centred, inclusive and development oriented information society where the public could create, share and develop information to improve the quality of their lives. Mr Armah said this was in line with President John Evans Atta Mills Better Ghana Agenda of developing the human potential of the nation. He said the Ministry of Communications in collaboration with the ICT industry had created an enabling regulatory environment through the enactment of the Electronic Communications Act and the Electronic Transactions Act. Mr Armah said to promote broadband development and increase bandwidth for ICT access, three additional licenses have been granted for the 93Landing of submarine cables to supply additional bandwidth in fair competition with the existing SAT-3 cable owned by Vodafone". He said the availability of affordable bandwidth would also facilitate the attraction of Business Process Outsourcing into the country and offer employment to Ghanaians. 12 May 11

Takoradi, May 12, GNA - Mr Ernest Attuquaye Armah, Deputy Minister of Communications, on Wednesday said the National ICT for accelerated development (ICTAAD) Policy was being reviewed to meet changing developmental objectives and priorities. He said the ICTAAD was also being streamlined to respond to changes in global economy and advances in the technological environment. He was speaking on: 93Ongoing Policy Reforms in the ICT Sector-Opportunities for the Nation's Private Sector," at the 2nd Business Executives Luncheon and meeting of the Western and Central Regional Branch of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) in Takoradi. Mr Armah said the issues under review included Broadband, Cyber Security, ICTs, Climate Change, Environmental and Geo-Information Policies. He said to address the security issues associated with using ICT systems and the cyberspace, the Ministry was developing the Cyber Security Bill, which would take into consideration industry and business concerns. Mr Armah said the Data Protection and Electronic Communications Regulations Bills were before Parliament for consideration and passage into law. He said the focus of the Ministry was to build people-centred, inclusive and development oriented information society where the public could create, share and develop information to improve the quality of their lives. Mr Armah said this was in line with President John Evans Atta Mills Better Ghana Agenda of developing the human potential of the nation. He said the Ministry of Communications in collaboration with the ICT industry had created an enabling regulatory environment through the enactment of the Electronic Communications Act and the Electronic Transactions Act. Mr Armah said to promote broadband development and increase bandwidth for ICT access, three additional licenses have been granted for the 93Landing of submarine cables to supply additional bandwidth in fair competition with the existing SAT-3 cable owned by Vodafone". He said the availability of affordable bandwidth would also facilitate the attraction of Business Process Outsourcing into the country and offer employment to Ghanaians. 12 May 11