Mr. Ernest Attuquaye Armah, Deputy Minister for Communications, has stressed the need to employ enabling capacities of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to improve the quality of life in rural communities.

In addition, individuals, communities and people can achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and improving quality of life.    

Mr. Armah made the call at flag hoisting ceremony in commemoration of this year’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, on the theme: “Better Life in Rural Communities with ICT”, in Accra.     

He said the celebration enjoined all stakeholders, policy makers, regulators, telecommunication operators, private investors and industry, to come together to promote the adoption of policies and strategies that will promote better life in rural communities with ICTs.    

Mr. Armah said: “Indeed, we can achieve this when we vigorously pursue the universal access agenda to promote ICT infrastructure and services to reach all parts of the country and to all segments of the population.     

“It is this resolve at bringing the Digital Divide that the Ministry of Communications through its agencies: the National Communications Authority (NCA), National Information Technology Agency, Ghana Meteorological Agency, is supporting service providers, public service organisations and communities to harness the full potential of ICT”.    

Mr. Armah announced that the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministries of Health, Food and Agriculture, Education, Local Government and Rural Development, to extend broadband infrastructure to health institutions, schools, colleges and Community Information Centres, through the disbursement of Universal Service Funds contributed by the communications service providers.     

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, in an address read on his behalf by Ms. Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, UN Resident Coordinator, said this year’s theme highlighted the need to harness the full potential of ICT for the benefit of the world’s rural population.     

“The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and its partners continue striving to connect the world. I welcome these efforts, especially the drive to bring broadband to every community. Broadband telecommunications will make it possible to drive content to the remotest rural districts,” Ban Ki-Moon said.      

The UN Secretary-General therefore urged governments to resolve to connect rural communities and the entire world to the digital revolution as a means of achieving the development goals and fostering peace and prosperity for all.      

Source: GNA
 

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