By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Ghana is championing a
proposed resolution at the ongoing International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Qatar, to strengthen the protection of
civilian telecommunications and information and communication technology (ICT)
infrastructure during armed conflicts.
The proposed resolution
seeks to safeguard critical digital infrastructure, including data centres,
which underpin essential services, economic activity and the daily lives of
millions of people.
Dr. Arnold Kavaarpuo, a
member of Ghana’s delegation to the conference, said the protection of such
facilities had become a matter of public interest, national resilience and
human security in an increasingly digital world.
“In an increasingly digital
world, these facilities are more than technological assets. They underpin
essential services, economic activity and the daily lives of millions. Their
protection is therefore a matter of public interest, national resilience and
human security,” he said.
Dr. Kavaarpuo, who shared
details of Ghana’s participation in a LinkedIn post, described it as an honour
to be part of the country’s delegation to the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference
under the leadership of the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and
Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George.
He also highlighted Ghana’s
leadership engagements at the conference, including its bid for re-election to
the ITU Council and its support for the candidature of the Director-General of
the National Communications Authority (NCA), Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko,
for re-election to the ITU Radio Regulations Board.
Dr. Kavaarpuo further
described his meeting with ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin as a
special privilege, commending her leadership in shaping the future of global
digital connectivity.
Ghana’s participation in the
conference comes as member states deliberate on the future direction of global
telecommunications and digital development, including the policies and
regulatory frameworks that will guide the sector.
“Ghana is not simply
participating in the conversations shaping our digital future. We are helping
to shape the rules that will govern it,” Dr. Kavaarpuo said.
