The Ag. Administrator of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Dr. Sofo Tanko Rashid-Computer, has paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, to formally introduce himself and his Ag. Deputy Administrator, Hon. Abdul-Aziz Mohammed.

The meeting, held at the Chamber’s offices in Accra, focused on strengthening collaboration between the two institutions to drive Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.

During the engagement, the Administrator outlined the government’s vision for GIFEC, emphasising its transition into a Digital Economy and Innovations Development Fund. He highlighted GIFEC’s evolving role in ensuring nationwide digital inclusion, supporting ICT-driven innovations, and facilitating the development of a digitally skilled workforce.

The Administrator called on the Chamber to support GIFEC in recovering the mandatory 1% revenue contribution from telecommunications companies, which funds the agency’s digital inclusion initiatives. He noted that these contributions are crucial for sustaining projects such as the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project (GRT&DIP), Community ICT Centres (CICs), and digital literacy programmes aimed at bridging the digital divide.

He also emphasised the need to rebrand GIFEC as a leading government agency in Ghana’s digitalisation efforts, ensuring that its impact is widely recognized as the driving force behind ICT access for underserved communities.

He mentioned that in line with the government’s digitalisation agenda, H.E. the President will launch the flagship "One Million Coding Professionals" initiative in April 2025, stressing that GIFEC will be a major implementing agency in achieving this initiative.

This programme seeks to equip Ghanaians with in-demand digital skills such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, and software development, positioning Ghana as a competitive player in the global digital economy. He urged the Chamber to support the initiative, particularly in providing mentorship, funding, and internship opportunities through its member companies.

In response, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey welcomed the Administrator and his team, commending GIFEC’s efforts in advancing digital inclusion and ensuring universal access to ICT infrastructure. He reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to collaborating with GIFEC, particularly in advocating for timely compliance by telcos in remitting their statutory contributions.

“We recognise the critical role GIFEC plays in Ghana’s digital transformation. The Chamber will continue to engage our members to ensure that all contributions due to GIFEC are paid as expected. We will also explore avenues for deeper collaboration in digital skills development and ICT infrastructure expansion,” Dr. Ashigbey stated.

He further expressed the Chamber’s readiness to support GIFEC’s rebranding efforts and pledged to work closely with the agency to amplify its impact in Ghana’s digitalisation drive.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to fostering a stronger partnership between GIFEC and the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, with a shared vision of expanding digital access and skills for all Ghanaians.

Present at the meeting for GIFEC were the Director of Operations and Ag. Director of Administration & HR, Alhaji Yahaya Zakaria Osman, the Director of Finance, Mr. Henry Agyeman Boateng, Senior Manager and PA to the Administrator, Ms. Ruth Ayiintimii Azantilow and Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Fredrick Kojo Aidoo.

Also present for the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications were Mr. Louis Bobbie Osei, Regulatory and Research Manager, Mr. David Aryeetey, Assistant Communications Manager and Mrs. Alaina Dedry-Amuzu, Admin & Finance Manager.