The Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Management Board has been inaugurated by the Communications Minister, Edward Omane Boamah.

The Board is expected to oversee Ghana’s move from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

It will also ensure the efficient and effective management of the investment made by Government into the DTT infrastructure

Members of the Board are representatives from the National Media Commission (NMC), National Communications Authority (NCA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC,) Ministry of Communications,  Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications and a Consumer

Chairman of the NMC, Ambassador Kabral Blay Amihere or his nominee will chair the board.

Speaking at a ceremony to inaugurate the Board, Dr Boamah said although Ghana has missed the deadline, it is implementating a digital migration roadmap aimed at ensuring that the DTT network solution, is deployed in Ghana in line with international best practice by mid 2016.

The global deadline was June 17, 2015, and Ghana is expected to comply with the migration because it is a signatory to the Geneva 2006 agreement.

Geneva 2006 was a conference organised by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to agree on and plan television frequencies for DTT broadcasting in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East.

A successful migration from analogue to digital television will offer better picture quality, clear sound, more channels and more interactivity to viewers.

The transmission platform will offer free to air transmission services to all Content broadcasters and Government will benefit from the release of frequency spectrum known as ‘Digital Dividend’ for innovative telecom services.

According to the Minister, internet service provider, KNET Ltd has commenced work in both Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions as part of the first phase of the DTT rollout and scheduled to complete by end of October 2015.

To ensure the efficient and effective management of the investment made by Government into the DTT infrastructure, the Ministry is constituting the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Management Board with key stakeholder representation.

Members of the DTT Board will be guided by the following terms of reference:

To ensure the DTT infrastructure, upon completion and hand-over, is managed efficiently, effectively and service available at all times

To work closely with the operators of the platform to ensure it is maintained and available in all households across the country

To work closely with statutory bodies (NMC and NCA) to address issues of authorization, contributions, transmission and spectrum management.

To provide strategic direction/guidance in respect of the DTT infrastructure ensuring a structure of service that meets global best practice

To work closely with all stakeholders ensuring the platform is adequately resourced through a billing model that guarantees the sustainability of the infrastructure.

In consultation with the Ministry of Communications (owners of the platform) build a cost recovery pricing model that assures re-investment in the equipment and new technologies whiles over time redeeming the full cost of investment.

To act as an arbiter in disputes between all users of the platform be it broadcasters, producers, STB distributors, users inter alia and to ensure there is conformance within the industry.

To make input into policies that will enhance the growth of the industry

To perform any other role as may be assigned by the Ministry of Communications from time to time.

Dr Omane Boamah encourages the pioneer members of the DTT Management Board to work to meet the expectations of Ghanaians, industry and all stakeholders.