A delegation from the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwah, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), to discuss strategic support for the university’s digital infrastructure expansion.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Mohammed Adams Sukparu, who sat in for the sector Minister and conveyed the Ministry’s welcoming posture, noting that the establishment of advanced ICT centres aligns strongly with the government’s core vision of transitioning the nation toward a robust digital world.
A primary focus of the visit was a follow-up on a previous appeal made to the Minister during an alumni dinner event. The GCTU team sought assistance from the Ministry to establish a cybersecurity lab at the university.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged the urgency and importance of this request, especially given the serious threat cyber security poses to government operations and systems.
He assured the delegation that the Minister takes cyber security very seriously and would be more than willing to support the establishment of the lab, provided resources are available, recognizing that the facility could potentially support the mandate of the Cyber Security Authority.
The Vice Chancellor of GCTU confirmed that the construction of the edifice intended to house the lab is already underway, requiring only finishing support for the available space.
In addition to seeking support for the cybersecurity lab, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwah, extended an official invitation to the Minister to inaugurate a major new facility: the Centre for Innovation, Technological Skills, and Entrepreneurship Training. “GCTU, which positions itself as the most viable learning centre for ICT in West Africa, has equipped this large lab with 92 highly specified computers and intelligent boards. The university plans to utilize the facility to train entrepreneurs in critical ICT skills”.
Hon. Sukparu hailed the university’s initiative, stressing that such centres are invaluable to government programmes, pointing specifically to the ‘Girls in ICT’ programme, which often faces challenges in finding suitable facilities for training across various regions.
He further noted that the Ministry could leverage the GCTU facilities in the future for training associated with the One Million coders Programme. He confirmed the Ministry’s commitment to conveying all requests, including the invitation and the need for support for the cyber security lab, to the Minister and promised to communicate the final confirmed date for the inauguration shortly.
