The Minister-designate for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George has assured players in the telecommunications industry of his commitment to protect them from players who are not domiciled in Ghana and who do not create jobs for the Ghanaian people. According to him, his bias will be towards businesses in the country that are creating jobs.
He made the assurance, in response to a question during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, about how he would handle an entity such as Starlink if he is approved.
“Mr. Chairman, my first obligation if approved by this house and assume the office of Minister will be to the businesses domiciled here in Ghana that create Ghanaian jobs. That is where my bias will be to. And so any external business, that fails to have presence, that can be held to account by the regulator and that creates absolutely no jobs in Ghana, will not get the benefit of that office at the expense of our local businesses domiciled here.”.
“And so the industry can rest assured that, policy will protect investment and policy will protect Ghanaian jobs. Thank you.”,” he added.
More spectrum will be made available to Telcos to improve quality of service – Sam George
The Minister-designate for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George has promised to ensure that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Ghana get more spectrum to help improve the current quality of service in the country.
According to him the management of spectrum will be done in a way that helps maintain the balance in the ecosystem and the strength of the overall sector.
“Mr. Chairman, spectrum is a finite national resource, and so, the management of spectrum is critical for the maintenance of balance and the sector. We’ll continue to look at, maintaining the balance in the ecosystem, maintaining the strength of the sector and taking direction and leading from his Excellency the President”.
“We’ll continue on management of spectrum, in a way that ensures proper quality of service for consumer experience, but also ensuring that the businesses are kept afloat. Thank you,” he added.
The Road Ahead
When confirmed as Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam George is expected to lead initiatives that will drive Ghana’s digital transformation. Key priorities will likely include:
- Building a conducive and supportive policy and regulatory environment.
- Championing the review of the tax regime especially as it pertains to smartphones, industry specific taxes, VAT and levies on imported services among others.
- Championing the protection of industry infrastructure.
- Implementation of measures to reduce the cost of doing business and ease of doing business in the telecommunications industry.
- Tackling indebtedness of government to industry players.
- Etc.
