Ghana’s bid to migrate from analogue to digital terrestrial television set out in June, by the International Telecommunication Union is quashed due to financial constraints to deploy infrastructure, the Communications’ Ministry has revealed.
Failure to meet the migration cut-off date by mid this year is largely due to delay in securing China Exim Bank loan facility expected by government to facilitate installation of the infrastructure for the process to commence.
[contextly_sidebar id=”TCKX6idRdhMQfWpLJJGd28jWu7UtjTG7″]Minister of Communications, Dr Edward Omane Bomah, said this at a news conference to highlight Ghana’s plan for digital migration, following the termination of a contract with the main contractor and supplier of the digital terrestrial equipment, Star Communication Network Technology.
A five-member committee charged to evaluate the rebidding process after the cancellation of the contract also submitted it report to the sector minister for scrutiny.
Dr Boamah said government is committed to the migration process and steps are being taken vigorously to complete deployment of infrastructure nationwide by February 2016.
According to him, broadcasting sound and picture would be improved while a minimum local content would also be allowed to create opportunity for those in the creative art industry when the project is successfully undertaken.
He also said apart from the numerous job opportunities that would be created for journalists and technicians, at least $ 230 million could be derived from the spectrum when the migration process is finalized.
Source:GNA