Ghana has received massive commendation for its efforts in advancing Information and Communication Technologies and telecommunications for the benefit of its citizens and Africa at large.

The country was recognized and lauded for among other things, securing a world-class equipment testing laboratory to ensure quality of service and regulation in the telecommunications sector.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the International telecommunications Union Regional Development Forum (ITU RDF) held in Ghana, Regional Director of ITU, Andrew Rugege said the initiative will control the situation where operators place less premium on the services they deliver to customers.

“For the government and people of Ghana, thank you, coming to Ghana was no accident, I think it was pre-ordained, we have seen innovation in action. We have seen state of the art facilities that you have. I have visited the facilities that you have, some of them three times, I did not get tired because I learnt something new every time and I hope that all of us learn”.

“Quality of service that customers pay for is very important. We are beyond the time where an operator does not give quality, you pay for your service but the quality of service is rubbished, we are beyond that and Ghana has led us in this effort to hold our operators accountable to their licensing responsibilities and to make sure our people have the services they have paid for and services they deserve”, he said.

Opening up the new lab to other countries within the sub-region he said is exceptional and praise worthy.

“Our excitement is not only about what you have done for the people of Ghana, it is what you have done to lead the people of Africa. It is that these labs will not only be used by you. It is my wish to encourage other countries to use these labs. What you may not know is that these labs are very expensive but Ghana has made the decision to invest for its people but it has also been generous enough to invite the rest of us to use these facilities and therefore I’ll call on our countries to take up this offer. We have the opportunity to support efforts of one of us that has been daring enough to take the lead, for that, I thank you”, he stated.

Deputy Communications Minister, George Andah, on his part, lauded the ITU for the program, stressing the importance of collaboration by all stakeholders in the various countries to provide support and best practices to build a stronger front.

He further appealed to the ITU to consider placing Ghana on its council.

“I wish to use this platform to request for Ghana’s support to the ITU Council. I believe that we’ve worked hard for it and I believe that you can support us to get to the council”, he stated.

The three-day program (ITU RDF) came off from Wednesday 18 to 20th July 2018.

Under the theme: “ICT4SDGs: Towards the implementation of WTDC-17 outcomes”, the forum aimed at providing an Invaluable opportunity for ITU members across our region to share achievements and experiences whilst building digital economies to foster innovation in Africa was attended by ITU Member States, ITU-D Sector Members, Regulators, Associates, Academia, Stakeholders of the Centers of Excellence network for Africa and Regional organizations in Africa.