Communications Minister Dr Omane Boamah, on Tuesday, inaugurated an Advisory Working Group on the creation of Ghana Information Communication Technology Council (GICTC) in Accra. The members of the group included Ms Victoria Hammah, Deputy Minister of Communications and Chairperson, Mr Enerst Brown, Ghana Internet Services Providers Association, Mr Derek Laryea, Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Mrs Georgina Quarshie, Academia, Mr Enerst Amoako, Youth in ICT and Mr Kofi Walanyo, Ghana Association of Software and IT Services Companies. The others are Mr Alhassan Umar, Information Technology Enabled Service Secretariat, Mr Maxwell Wardon, National Council of Persons with Disability, Mrs Nana Beecham, Association of Ghana Industries and Mr Kofi Owusu-Hene, Consumer Protection Agency. The terms of reference of the group is to advise the Ministry on how the creation of the GICTC will ensure excellence in responding to the delivery of quality ICT service to consumers. It will also determine appropriate sanctions for quality of service breaches, map out the degree to which GICTC can assess and monitor industry performance in line with national and global standards, to certify and regulate ICT practitioners in Ghana and identify and assess market opportunities for national ICT products and services that the council will promote. Members are expected to define the parameters of which GICTC can consistently and distinctly stay ahead through programme innovation in the ICT sector, advice on various types of training, problem based research and IT consultancy services that the council can undertake. The GICTC will outline the extent to which members can create academic niche in Ghana through the provision of an enhanced forum for research study, innovation and exchange of information on ICT issues of national, regional and international importance and interest. Dr Boamah said the mandate of the Ministry of Communication requires the creation of a level field for practitioners in the ICT industry to enable them contribute efficiently in accordance with the prevailing standards and quality of service to meet the expectations of consumers and industry. He said the ICT sector continues to expand and involve several skills sets and this accounts for the reason why the Ministry proposes to establish the Ghana ICT Council as a body to guide the professional conduct of players involved in providing ICT services and goods. Dr Boamah said the group while going about their duty may pursue the National Communication Authority Act of 2008, the Electronic Communication Act 775 of 2008, the Electronic Communication Amendment Act 786, the Electronic Transaction Act 772 of 2008 and the National Information Technology Agency Act 771 of 2008. Other laws include the National Communication Authority Act of Parliament, Act 524 of 1996, National Communication Authority Legislative Instrument (LI) 1719 of 2003 and the Data Protection Act, Act 843 of 2012 to prevent duplication of functions by the council