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Communication Ministry organises Digital Family Forum [Ghana News Agency](Ghana News Agency Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Accra, March 15, GNA - The Ministry of Communications has organized a forum for stakeholders in the communications and Information Communication Technology (ICT) sectors. The forum dubbed: "Digital Family Forum" is to provide an opportunity for Industry stakeholders to discuss in an open and frank manner, their expectations regarding policy and regulation within the Telecommunication, Broadcasting and the ICT sectors. Dr Edward Kofi Omani Boamah, Minister of Communications said the forum is a platform for cooperation among sector players and an opportunity for the resolution of differences, which may be a nurturing and breeding grounds for the generation of innovative ideas to propel the ICT, Broadcasting and Telecommunication sector. He said it was amazing to discover how far Ghana's telecommunications sector has grown over the years and recall the period when messages from abroad were tape-recorded and sent to relations back home as authentic means of communication. "Again I recall the periods of long queues at the Posts and Telecommunications Offices to make or receive international calls. "If today, people can make and receive calls from their homes and elsewhere, and send data with the speed of light, then we need to celebrate our journey to this moment of ubiquitous communications" Dr Boamah noted that evolving needs will continue to haunt all service providers, and that, industry players should brace up and appreciate that at no point in time will consumers be infinitely satisfied with the quality of service they provide. He said industry players are confronted with ever-present challenges, which they must find answers to even, as we continue to contribute impressively to the services sector of the Ghanaian economy. Dr Boamah noted that the services sector accounted for 49 per cent Gross Domestic Product in 2012 and recorded the highest growth rate in 2013 b,y registering a growth rate of 8.8 per cent. He said as at the end of last year, total telephone subscriptions grew to over 28 million subscribers, from a 2012 figure of over 25 million, whiles Mobile data also grew up to 10 million subscribers by the end of 2013, highlighting the growing importance of mobile internet in Ghana. The minister said the operations of major global telecommunications companies in Ghana is an indication of satisfaction with our pro-business policies, clear regulatory regime, and above all, the countrys appeal as a safe ICT investment destination. He said these accomplishments give us encouragement to continue to invest in broadband infrastructure to reach all parts of the country and open up opportunities for development. "I commend the private sector for taking advantage of the countrys enabling environment to investing in Next Generation Networks and other cutting-edge technology applications". Dr Boamah said President John Dramani Mahama expects not only an improved local content participation in our sector but also requests us to generate much more employment opportunities for our youth. He expect that this initial engagement will help reveal the future course of action and policies and programmes that would be pursued to satisfy the objectives of national development, citizens satisfaction and private sector growth. GNA (c) 2014 Ghana News Agency (GNA) Provided by Syndigate.info, an Albawaba.com company |