Communication Minister Pledges Results-Oriented Leadership as AU ICT Chair

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has pledged to build consensus, strengthen cooperation and drive the implementation of Africa’s digital agenda.

“Over the next two years, this committee must be measured not by the declarations that we adopt, but by the results that we deliver,” he said at the 6th Ordinary Session of the Committee in Libreville, Gabon.

He made these remarks following his confirmation as Chair of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT (AU STC-ICT).

In his address to the ministerial session, Mr George described the chairmanship as a responsibility to the entire African Union and called for stronger continental cooperation to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.

He said Africa already has key frameworks on digital transformation, artificial intelligence and data governance, but must focus on implementation to meet the expectations of its people.

The Minister identified connectivity, data governance, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence as areas requiring coordinated action across the continent.

“When we negotiate alone, we are 55 separate markets, but when we negotiate together, we are a market of nearly 1.5 billion people,” he said, adding that Africa must be “at the table, not on the menu” in global conversations on artificial intelligence, data and digital trade.

He further called on member states to take bold decisions towards a shared digital future in which Africa can operate as one digital market and speak with one digital voice.

Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD