This was said by Secretary General of ATU, Abdoulkarim Soumaila at an ICT forum, AfricaCom, held on 7- 9 November in Cape Town.

He said that connectivity, affordability and accessibility was a key focus for Africa’s digital inclusivity and rural network coverage.

Abdoulkarim Soumaila during the premier Pan-African technology, telecoms and media event noted that, connectivity has the potential to positively impact and transform people’s lives in a number of areas, including health, education and financial services and agriculture.

“All people must be able to access the Internet in order to exercise and enjoy their rights to a better quality of life, dignity and equality.” Abdoulkarim said.

Statistics from GSMA shows that approximately 53% of the world’s population is still unconnected. Four-fifths of this unconnected population are located in Asia-Pacific and in Africa. On average, 69% of the African population do not have access to the Internet, with many of those unconnected living in rural areas.

Abdoulkarim stated that there is a definite need for smarter strategies and co-operation amongst the various stakeholders to ensure digital Inclusivity.

“In order to make rural connectivity a reality, governments and stakeholders need to make it a priority. It is necessary to develop suitable networks at an appropriate time and gradually overlay infrastructure and services until the ultimate goal of an ICT Society and Knowledge Economy is achieved.” Abdoulkarim said.

The forum with the theme, “Build a Better Connected Africa – How to Accelerate the Development of ICT Systems” was attended by government officials including communication ministers from South Africa, Angola, Ghana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, representatives from GSMA, Deloitte, Huawei and Telco Operators in Sub-Saharan region.

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications of Ghana said, “Our universal access service agency GIFEC, in collaboration with operators and private sector partners, has been mandated to make 100% network coverage happen within two years. And I’m happy to know that Huawei has successfully developed innovative solution for rural coverage in collaboration with MTN in Ghana. The ICT Africa forum should serve to strengthen our resolve in building a better connected Africa. ”

Lipeng, president of Huawei Southern Africa region said most African policy-makers have created favorable environments for the ICT sector, and the private sector also plays an important role in provision of the technology, solution, service and training, help transforming and enriching people’s life through communication.

“Huawei is ready to share our local practices and global expertise with all related stakeholders, to contribute to accelerating ICT development in Africa.” Li said.

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Credit: Huawei

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According to them, they have witnessed a demonstration of good faith by the school’s management towards fixing the challenges.

[contextly_sidebar id=”fcd9I1lQxPin0G0WyjDJwJeFWjxEeihL”]The lecturers declared the strike over what they described as poor conditions in the school, which they claimed negatively affected teaching and learning.

Organizer of the Accra Technical University branch of the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana, Hanson Obiri-Yeboah, told Citi News on Monday that the school management had begun addressing some of the challenges they raised last week.

“We decided to call off the strike. Our demands for the short-term have been met. Things like the sockets have been fixed, ceiling fans, louver blades have been fixed and the washrooms are in good shape now so we decided to suspend the strike as we look at the long-term and short-term…Effective this morning, we’ve suspended the strike so we are calling on students to come back and lecturers are going to teach from now.”

Meanwhile, most students who were seen on the school’s campus on Monday, were unaware that the lecturers had resumed work, as some were seen studying on their own in groups.

But Hanson Obiri-Yeboah, said he was optimistic that studies will return to normal by noon on Tuesday, adding that the leadership of the lecturers’ union had publicized notices of their resumption to duty.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to him the Finance Ministry’s failure to release an undisbursed amount of $1.8 Million  under a subsidiary Loan Agreement to the company for its cocoa processing business contributed to the payment.

He said this at a Wednesday sitting of the commission investigating past Judgment debt payments in Ghana.

‘My Lord, the state would have saved $2,350,127.50 if the Finance Ministry had not acted contary to the Loan Agreement signed between Ghana and the Chinese Government.

Tony Lithur who was  lawyer for the  Calf Cocoa International told  the  Chairman of the Commission, Justice Yaw Apau  that  the Government of China, through the export Import Bank (EXIM Bank) in October  1998 , agreed to give the Government of Ghana an interest-subsisided concessionary loan  for the purpose of financing industrial projects in the country through joint ventures between Ghanaian and Chinese companies in identified areas of interest.

The astute Lawyer who defended President Mahama in the landmark election petition in 2013 said per the agreement, Ghana through the Bank and Exim Bank acting on behalf of China  carried out what was termed  ‘ the General  Loan Agreement’ in November 26,1996.

My Lord,  ‘the company required about $8.7million to set up a cocoa processing factory and as of 2003 the factory had been established, and needed the $1.8million due it to buy the cocoa beans  for its operations’.

He added that the Ministry of Finance was reluctant to release the money even after several meetings  and several letters written to them.

The Finance Ministry rather suggested at the time to Calf Cocoa International  to enter into a sales contract with the Ghana Cocoa Marketing Board for the supply of the Cocoa beans  which was clearly not part of the agreement, he stated.

Tony Lithur again said “this led to suit we filed against the government because at the time  the machines in the factory were in pretty bad shape so we (Calf Cocoa International) had incurred loses.”

A commercial court  at the High court presided over by Justice Madam Insaidoo on March 5, 2008 ordered that the state( Ghana)to pay an amount of $4,150,127.50 to my client( Calf Cocoa International) which included the principal amount due my client and all the losses the company incurred

By: Pearl Akanya Ofori/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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