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Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam Nartey George, has called for a more inclusive and technically robust regional presence within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Speaking at an ongoing ITU meeting in Geneva, the Minister urged the global body to ensure that all ITU sectors are fully represented at the regional level.
In his address, Mr. Nartey George acknowledged the significant contributions made by the ITU’s regional and area offices, noting that their activities have had a positive impact across all six global regions. He commended the ITU for its initiatives that directly benefit member states, especially in Africa, and expressed particular appreciation for Ghana’s participation in the Digital Financial Services Security Clinics organized through the African Regional Office in collaboration with the Telecommunications Standardization Bureau (TSB). He emphasized that such programs provide invaluable hands-on training for regulators, which is crucial for strengthening Ghana’s digital financial ecosystem.
“These are the types of capacity-building interventions that our membership requires,” the Minister remarked, urging the ITU to continue and expand such initiatives.
Despite these achievements, Mr. Nartey George raised concerns about an imbalance in the ITU’s regional structure, pointing out that regional activities have predominantly been driven by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). While he recognized the importance of development-focused efforts, he stressed that the current model does not fully address the evolving technological needs of member states. He argued that global technological advancements now necessitate a more integrated and technically driven approach.
To address this gap, Mr. Nartey George called for greater participation from the Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) and the Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) in regional operations. His proposals included:
Deploying dedicated technical experts to regional offices
Conducting regular sector-specific missions to member regions
Strengthening coordination between ITU bureau directors and regional leadership
While he acknowledged that some TSB staff have been assigned to regional offices, he questioned when similar arrangements would be made for ITU-R in Africa.
The Minister highlighted several key areas that urgently require attention, including:
Spectrum management
Satellite coordination
Preparations for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27)
Mr. Nartey George also urged that the ongoing review of the ITU’s regional presence extend beyond development-focused metrics. He recommended a more comprehensive evaluation that considers how effectively regional offices address the technical needs of member states across all ITU sectors. Additionally, he proposed that the 27 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) adopted by the ITU Council in 2025 be applied from this broader perspective.
Concluding his address, Mr. Nartey George emphasized the need for a unified and inclusive ITU structure at the regional level. “A stronger regional presence is one that brings the entire ITU to its membership, not just one bureau,” he stated. He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to engaging constructively in shaping reforms that will enhance the ITU’s impact across all member states.
Story by Efua Nessa
Source :Loco tv