The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) and the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMeT), on Monday, 16th September 2024, welcomed a delegation from India’s Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as part of a study tour aimed at enhancing the resilience of Ghana’s telecommunications infrastructure.
The visit, which focused on disaster preparedness and infrastructure fortification, presented an opportunity for Ghana to benefit from CDRI’s global expertise and share experiences on building resilient telecom systems.
The Chief Director of the MoCD, Mr. Alexander Yaw Arphul, who received the delegation on behalf of Sector Minister, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP), underscored the critical role of partnerships in safeguarding the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
“Telecommunications infrastructure is the backbone of national security and disaster management. This collaboration will equip us to better withstand the impacts of climate change and improve our early warning systems,” he stated.
Mr. Arphul also highlighted Ghana’s commitment to the Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) initiative, championed by the United Nations Secretary-General. “This visit reinforces our dedication to ensuring that every person on earth is protected by early warning systems by 2027, as envisioned by the EW4ALL initiative,” he added.
The Director-General for Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMeT), Dr. Eric Assuman, touched on the agency’s achievements with regards to early warning interventions that has helped Ghana to mitigate its disaster impacts.
Dr. Assuman also said that the study tour will provide the platform for both countries to strengthen their collaborative efforts, hence, the discussions between the MoCD and CDRI will emphasize the importance of collaboration among telecom operators, policymakers, and disaster management agencies to ensure resilient infrastructure.
The Director of Research, Statistics, and Information Management (RSIM) at the ministry, Dr. Bishop Samuel Antwi-Gyekyi, expressed optimism about the outcomes of the study tour, noting, “We are confident that this collaboration will lead to fruitful discussions and partnerships that will shape our strategies for disaster resilience in the telecommunications sector.”
CDRI’s Commitment to Telecom Resilience
Mr. Anshul Yadan, Advisor for Telecom from CDRI India, explained that Ghana is the second country outside Asia, after India, where CDRI is working on telecommunications resilience. “We see this as an opportunity to contribute to Africa’s development while learning from Ghana’s experiences. Our goal is to foster knowledge-sharing across our member states,” Yadan said.
Dr. Ramraj Narasimhan, Senior Director at CDRI, presented critical data on the global impact of disasters on telecommunications infrastructure, noting that the average annual loss due to disasters is approximately $672 million globally. “In 2021 alone, losses in the telecommunications sector amounted to $422 billion, including both disaster-related damage and service outages,” he said.
Dr. Narasimhan also cited notable examples from Asia, such as the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, which disrupted telecom services for over a month.
“India has faced similar challenges, with over 400 mobile towers impacted during major disasters. To mitigate such impacts, it’s crucial for countries to map their telecom assets against local hazards,” he emphasized, highlighting the importance of granular hazard mapping for effective disaster preparedness.
Mr. Yadan reaffirmed CDRI’s commitment to working with Ghana’s telecommunications sector to mitigate the effects of disasters and build stronger systems. “We are here to learn, share best practices, and support the development of disaster-resilient telecom networks across Africa,” he remarked.
The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, in collaboration with key agencies such as the National Communications Authority (NCA), National Information Technology Agency (NITA), the Cyber Security Authority, and the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMeT), is set to partner with CDRI to enhance Ghana’s telecom resilience.
Key officials present at the meeting were Mr. Alfred Nortey, Director of Finance and Administration (F&A); Mr. Emmanuel Ofori, Director of Policy, Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PPBME); as well as several Deputy Directors from the Ministry and representatives from GMeT.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
