Cyber Series Forum - Ghana @ 50, ICTs @ what?

Hon. Edward Salia, who is also a former Minister of Communications, spoke on Liberalization of the Telecom Sector. He highlighted some very important facts about telecommunication in the country, saying that at the time he assumed public office there were only 58,000 direct lines and 32 pay phones in the country, with 29 in Accra and 3 in Kumasi.

The figures compelled his ministry to expand telecommunication to every part of the country, reflecting the importance placed on the role of telecommunication in the socio-economic development of growing nations. Today, mobile communication has overtaken fixed line networks, with more than four and a half million mobile phone subscribers in the country, compared to less than a million domestic fixed line subscribers.

Mr. Herman Chinnery-Hesse spoke on ‘Software Development, the Private Sector Perspective’. He lamented strongly on a good policy framework which supports local software industries and also offers them the enabling environment to survive in their own economies. He said there was a great measure of disconnection between policy makers and the industry, which results in unfavorable ICT policies, and in the long run ends up stifling the local software industry.

The third speaker, Dr. Amos Ayimadu said, although Ghana has enjoyed some kind of revolution in the past, it was on the path to enjoying another form of revolution, and if the right things are done the country’s next revolutionary era will centre on technology. He believes ICT should not centre too heavily on connectivity, but also concentrate on information. He said that lack of trust among players in the ICT sector, which he blames on the government, is blocking potential collaboration among software companies working towards the common good of the industry.

He also noted that the development of software for traditional sectors such as farming and fishing will revolutionize their approach. Software that could determine the movement and pressure of the tide, and foresee the direction of fish could immensely contribute to the productivity levels of fisher folk.

Prof. Nii Narko Quaynor, who is known in some circles as the father of the Internet, spoke on Internet Infrastructure in Ghana. Mentioning the role of policy makers in contributing to the loss of trust in the industry, he also said shutting down pioneering Internet Service Providers (ISP) has a great deal to do with the distrust expressed by industry players. Whilst Ghana has made some inroads with Internet connectivity, it is still one of the few countries on the continent with very low Internet penetration. He also mentioned that the stifling of some pioneering software companies has done a great disservice to the industry.

His chronological account of computers and the internet described developments from the 70s through to today. Describing the trickling in of the Internet, domain registration and major reforms that characterized the industry in the 90’s as the ‘industrialization era’, he sees the 21st century as a ‘fact-finding era’, with everyone suddenly becoming experts on ICT related topics, but throwing dust into people’s eyes in the process.

He pointed out that for a policy to be effective, two very divergent companies or organizations should be able to use and feel comfortable with the same policy. In his opinion, that will be the only time the country can confidently say it has a policy framework on ICT and not when it benefits only a few number of individuals.

The focus of the last speaker, Mr. Ofosu-Adarkwa was to enlighten participants on the government’s current Plans and Activities for ICT. He commended organizers of the Cyber Series for putting together such a laudable forum which he said, offers a platform for policy makers to collate information in helping them put together structures and policies that see to the direct needs of beneficiaries. He further mentioned that, one of the strategies of policy makers was to get into the grassroots in order to gather specific information to allow them put together a well structured policy.

He disclosed that one of the things on the government’s priority list is to empower the National Communications Authority (NCA) to effectively execute its responsibilities as a regulatory body. He also disclosed that the government is considering re-privatizing Ghana Telecom. A move the government believes will make the telecommunication sector more flexible for the total good of the end user.

He said beyond 2007, the government is putting together several measures to improve on ICT in Ghana, but one thing that lies at the core of government plans is to empower the NCA to be more effective. He also advised players in the private sector to look out for the cooperative good of the handicapped in society.

Questions/Comments and Answers

A participant was concerned about the supposed lack of trust in the sector and wanted to know what is being done to address the situation.

Before a resource person addressed the question, one of the participants offered her opinion. She had been working in the ICT sector in Eastern Africa over the past decade and she believes collaboration among players in the industry is seen as sharing of sensitive information and benefits to be gained.

A resource person added that policy makers have called stakeholders of the ICT sector to talk about possible collaboration and discuss issues bothering on trust.

Another participant expressed worry about the level of seriousness given to Computer Science education in the country.

In response, Mr. Ofosu-Adarkwa said, government is putting together policies to ensure that ICT programmes start right from the basic levels of education.

A participant wanted to know what was being done to ensure synergy between policy and action.

One resource person responded by appealing to donor countries to stop dictating what monies are used for. He added that in drawing a policy, priorities must place first things first to avoid disjoint and delays.

General Recommendations - as per presentation

i. Possibility of policy framework should be looked at critically to prevent the eventual collapse of local companies.
ii. The sole regulatory body, (NCA) should be made autonomous and empowered to execute its responsibilities more effectively.
iii. Ghanaians be given the opportunity to invest in and own telephony companies in the country.
iv. In any tender process, government should shortlist competent Ghanaian companies and make them the target of any government contracts to be awarded.
v. Placing emphasis on technology and the increasing information base to accelerate the ICT revolution in Ghana.
vi. The state should revolutionize the traditional sector by technologically empowering it.
vii. Academic community should be given a lot more regard in their contribution to ICT.
viii. All universities and all research centers should be connected.
ix. An autonomous body needs to be created to handle the implementation of policies.

Closing
At the end of the programme, the moderator of the forum, on behalf of the organizers and sponsors, IICD, GINKS, Busy Internet and Internet Research expressed profound gratitude to both resource persons and participants for making the forum a success.