The National Information Technology Agency (NITA) is all set to host the inaugural National Information Communication Technology (ICT) Week in Accra from Monday, August 26th to Friday, August 30th, 2024, at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre for Excellence (AITI-KACE). This event, aimed at showcasing the pivotal role of ICT in national development, marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s digital journey.
The week-long celebration, under the theme “Driving Digital Transformation,” will feature a rich lineup of keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and networking sessions. These activities are designed to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among key industry players, government representatives, and ICT professionals, emphasizing the importance and contributions of ICT to national progress.
Speaking ahead of the event, Richard Okyere-Fosu, Director General of NITA, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative. He highlighted that the National ICT Week, which was first launched last year, will become an annual celebration in August. This event serves as a platform to create awareness about NITA’s mandate and to educate participants on the vast spectrum of ICT’s impact on society. Okyere-Fosu emphasized, “ICT is ubiquitous—it is the foundation on which almost every system and activity is built. Take ICT out, and nothing will function.”
In alignment with its mandate as Ghana’s ICT regulator, NITA will also endorse the launch of The World Technology Forum during the event. This forum, an initiative of the Chartered Institute of Computing and Information Technology (CICIT), aims to position Ghana as a global hub for discussions on technology issues and advancements. The collaboration with The World Technology Forum underscores NITA’s commitment to fostering innovation and driving the success of ICT initiatives within the country.
The special guest of honor for the launch will be the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful. Other notable attendees include ministers of state, Members of Parliament, Chief Directors, Board Members of NITA, IT heads of government agencies, private sector ICT associations, IT professionals, academia, and representatives from technology institutions.
Among the planned activities is a focused discussion on “Digital Inclusion,” aimed at shedding light on Ghana’s policies, programs, and initiatives designed to bridge the digital gap. The week will also feature a Capacity Building Workshop and the Digital Trust Conference, which is expected to become a staple event during future ICT Week celebrations. These sessions are crafted to explore the latest trends, innovations, and opportunities in the ICT sector, driving forward Ghana’s vision for a robust digital economy.
Reflecting on the broader impact of the event, Mr. Okyere-Fosu noted that the Government of Ghana’s ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) policy, adopted in 2003, laid the groundwork for the nation’s digital transformation. He further mentioned that the forthcoming Ghana Digital Economy Policy (GDEP) will build on this foundation, pushing the country towards full optimization of ICT benefits in a digital economy.
The launch of National ICT Week in collaboration with The World Technology Forum, and in partnership with industry leaders such as Smart Infraco, E Solutions, MTN, and MESTI, is set to be a landmark event. As Mr. Okyere-Fosu affirmed, “We are happy to host the first National ICT Week celebration. We have put together a well-thought-out program that will be worth the attention, time, and participation of all stakeholders.”