Ghana, via the Nationwide Communications Authority (NCA) underneath the auspices of the Ministry of Communication, Digital Expertise and Improvements (MoCDTI), is internet hosting the First African Preparatory Assembly for the World Telecommunication Standardisation Meeting 2028 (WTSA-28) in Accra.
The assembly, which runs from 13 to 17 April 2026 at The Palms by Eagles Resort, is being held in collaboration with the Worldwide Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU).
It’s going down alongside the Joint ITU-ATU Workshops on Over-the-High (OTT) providers and the implementation of a Frequent Emergency Quantity in Africa, in addition to conferences of the ITU-T Research Teams 2 and three Regional Teams for Africa.
The week-long engagement has introduced collectively policymakers, regulators, trade leaders and technical consultants from throughout the continent to deliberate on Africa’s place forward of WTSA-28 and broader digital governance points.
Delivering the keynote handle, the Minister for Communication, Digital Expertise and Improvements, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, underscored Africa’s growing position in international ICT standard-setting and referred to as for unity and coordinated motion as preparations start for WTSA-28.
He recalled that at WTSA-24, Africa submitted 37 Frequent Proposals, of which 34 had been adopted, together with new resolutions on Synthetic Intelligence, the Metaverse and ITU Strategic Planning.
Hon. George additional famous that Africa secured 29 management positions throughout ITU buildings, with consultants from 13 international locations serving as Chairs, Vice Chairs and TSAG Vice Chairs, describing it as a major milestone within the continent’s participation in international standardisation processes.
He harassed that the present preparatory assembly presents a essential alternative for Africa to align positions, strengthen regional cooperation and construct consensus.
“Our predominant technical priorities are bridging the digital divide via rural broadband, enhancing cybersecurity by way of sturdy frameworks, selling inexpensive connectivity with infrastructure sharing, and fostering secure, inclusive development of AI and IoT. We should guarantee standardisation helps innovation and stays versatile. It must be guided by expertise neutrality, inclusivity, and sustainability,” he stated.
In his welcome handle, the Director-Basic of the NCA, Rev. Ing. Edmund Y. Fianko, welcomed delegates from throughout Africa and past, noting that the assembly coincides with the Authority’s thirtieth anniversary.
He stated the milestone displays three many years of regulatory management and deepening collaboration inside Africa and with international companions.
Rev. Fianko reaffirmed that the NCA stays dedicated to advancing standardisation as a key pillar for driving interoperability, innovation and belief within the digital ecosystem.
He highlighted Ghana’s rising contribution to ICT improvement, together with the institution of Kind Approval and Conformance Laboratories, in addition to continued collaboration with the ITU in capacity-building throughout Africa.
He assured delegates of Ghana’s readiness to help regional cooperation and contribute meaningfully to international standard-setting efforts.
The Secretary-Basic of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), Mr. John Omo, highlighted the persistent hole between cell phone possession and significant connectivity throughout Africa, noting that though 66% of people aged 10 and above owned cell phones in 2024, lively cell broadband utilization stays considerably decrease.
Based on him, this displays ongoing challenges round affordability, high quality of service and digital inclusion, regardless of enhancements in community protection.
Citing knowledge from the GSMA and ITU, Mr. Omo stated tons of of hundreds of thousands of individuals throughout the continent stay offline, with affordability persevering with to be a serious barrier as cell broadband prices in lots of international locations exceed international targets.
He harassed that discussions in Accra, significantly on Over-the-High (OTT) providers, are well timed and essential, as they immediately have an effect on community funding economics and the supply of inexpensive digital providers.
In a press release, the Director of the Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau (TSB) of the ITU, Mr. Seizo Onoe, emphasised the necessity for sturdy international requirements and capacity-building to help the digital future.
He famous that outcomes of WTSA-24 demonstrated sturdy international dedication to impactful requirements improvement, supported by trade participation and sustained help for growing international locations.
Mr. Onoe urged stakeholders to make sure that outcomes of WTSA-28 mirror the priorities and desires of all member states, stressing collaboration and consensus as core ideas of the ITU’s work.
The programme additionally options the Joint ITU/ATU Workshop on the Financial Influence of OTT providers, discussions on the implementation of a Frequent Emergency Quantity in Africa, and conferences of ITU-T Research Group 2 Regional Group for Africa (SG2RG-AFR) and Research Group 3 Regional Group for Africa (SG3RG-AFR).
These classes carry collectively consultants to deal with regulatory, financial and technical facets of telecommunications improvement throughout the continent.
Research Group 2 focuses on operational facets of telecom networks, together with numbering and repair provision, whereas Research Group 3 addresses financial and coverage points similar to tariffs, costing and interconnection.
The First African Preparatory Assembly (APM-1) serves as a regional coordination discussion board the place African international locations develop frequent positions forward of WTSA-28, enabling regulators, policymakers and technical consultants to align priorities and strengthen Africa’s collective voice in international telecommunications standardisation.
The Joint ITU-ATU workshops deal with the regulation and influence of OTT providers, similar to messaging and streaming platforms, in addition to efforts to determine a unified emergency quantity throughout Africa to enhance emergency response and public security.
Issued by the Nationwide Communications Authority (NCA), the assertion reaffirmed Ghana’s dedication to advancing ICT improvement and strengthening its position in international digital coverage discussions.
The Authority was established underneath Act 524 of 1996, later repealed and changed by the Nationwide Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769), and stays mandated to license and regulate digital communications actions in Ghana.
