NCA Director General calls for bridging digital divide

The Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, has stated the importance of bridging Ghana’s digital divide to ensure equal access to information and participation in democratic life.

Speaking at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) 77th Anniversary Symposium in Accra, Rev. Ing. Fianko said the Authority’s mandate in managing spectrum, authorising communications services, promoting quality connectivity and protecting consumers is central to making digital opportunities accessible nationwide.

“A journalist in a rural community must be able to gather and transmit a story as effectively as a journalist in Accra. Closing the digital divide is therefore not only an economic or technological objective; it is essential to inclusion, civic participation and democratic life,” he noted.

He acknowledged concerns about dropped calls, slow data speeds and inadequate coverage in some communities, assuring that the NCA is working with Mobile Network Operators to expand capacity and construct new sites.

“More than 500 new sites are being built this year, alongside upgrades to existing ones, with the Authority monitoring progress and holding operators accountable,” he added.

The Director General noted that while platforms and technologies will continue to evolve, the public’s need for accurate, fair and responsibly presented information remains constant.

“Let trust remain the profession’s most valuable heritage. Platforms will change, devices will change, business models will change, but the public’s need for information that is accurate, fair and responsibly presented will remain,” he said.

Rev. Ing. Fianko congratulated the GJA on its 77th anniversary, commending its contribution to journalism and Ghana’s democratic development, and urged practitioners to embrace innovation without compromising ethical values.

The symposium was held under the theme: “Building on Our Legacy: Advancing Ethical Journalism and Shaping the Future of Digital Media.”