Akufo-Addo drives ICT transformation in Ghana with Huawei

As part of his visit to China, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo visited Huawei's Executive Briefing Center held talks with Yi Xiang, Senior Vice President of Huawei.

During the talks, President Akufo-Addo said, Huawei is now working on many ICT projects that are driving development in Ghana.

“We look forward to working with Huawei to advance ICT transformation for a better connected smart Ghana,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo said the friendship between Ghana and China has laid a good foundation for trade between our countries.

As a leading global ICT provider, Huawei has pioneered the contribution to national construction of Ghana and has been involved in a number of important ICT projects that are vital to our economic well-being. Huawei has made great contribution to boosting ICT infrastructure, expanding connectivity, and advancing our digital agenda in Ghana.

Yi Xiang said under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, Ghana is enjoying fast, sustainable economic growth.

In particular, Ghana has been actively advancing an agenda of economic transformation and industrialization. The country's business environment is improving, and this has allowed the ICT industry to play a key role in driving economic development.

"Guided by our core values, we have been committed to building a stronger ICT infrastructure in Ghana, aiming to bring digital to more people, homes, and organizations," Yi reiterated.

President Akufo-Addo commented on Huawei’s achievements in ICT field.

He said he is very impressed by Huawei's corporate values, mentioning as “one of my most important takeaways from this visit to China which can be adopted in government department”.

He added ICT creates unlimited possibilities, and Ghana hopes to continue to work closely with Huawei to build communications infrastructure, expand the use of ICT services, and train a skilled workforce.

“Looking to the future, I am sure that the government of Ghana and Huawei will have a strong and fruitful relationship,” President Akufo-Addo concluded.

Yi said, Huawei is committed to improving connectivity in Africa using practical innovations that fit with Africa's needs. For example, our RuralStar solution for rural network coverage actually originated in Ghana. Today, it is bringing coverage to rural people in countries all around the world. He added Huawei has put its combination of global expertise and local experience at Ghana's service. It is willing and ready to contribute to Ghana's ICT development, under the guidance of Ghana’s national economic and social development plan.

“We hope to help the country build even stronger ICT infrastructure and further expand connectivity, giving more people equal access to knowledge, skills, and opportunities for growth.

We plan to develop more digital services tailored to local needs, and unlock the potential of ICT to improve people's lives, attract investments from in and outside the country, enhance efficiency. Through these efforts, we hope to play a unique role in making Ghana a regional economic, financial, and ICT hub," Yi concluded.

Huawei has been working with the government and local operators to provide secure, stable, and high-quality communications networks for the Ghanaian people since it entered the market in 2001. Huawei has been contributing to the country's digital transformation, and currently serves the majority of the country's population with its products and services.

Huawei proactively fulfills its corporate social responsibility using its ICT technologies and capabilities. The company always attaches great importance to basic research, openness, and collaboration.

Sticking to this principle, Huawei has been setting up joint innovation centers locally and working with major local universities.

In particular, Huawei helps create more jobs and cultivate more ICT talent for the country by establishing ICT labs, recruiting for positions at Huawei, and offering internships.

As part of its Seeds for the Future program, Huawei has invited students in ICT-related majors from Ghanaian universities each year since 2015 to gain hands-on experience at Huawei headquarters in China.