As Ghana embarks on a bold mission to train One Million Coders, the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) is addressing one of the biggest barriers to digital inclusion: connectivity in rural communities.
Dr. Rashid Tanko Computer, CEO of GIFEC, outlined the agency’s comprehensive plan to deliver reliable telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas as a foundation for the coding programme.
“Most of the communities don’t have networks. That’s why GIFEC is providing the infrastructure,” he explained.
“We call that the rural telephony project.”
Currently, 1,800 rural sites are active under the project, with 440 new sites planned for rollout in 2025.
However, about 550 sites remain inactive, primarily due to challenges with electricity and metering, a gap the government is urgently working to close in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy.
Dr. Computer acknowledged the critical role of telecommunication companies in ensuring the success of the initiative. He emphasized that all major telcos; MTN, Telecel, and IT Consortium, are not only partners but also serve on the GIFEC Board of Trustees, highlighting their strategic alignment with government goals.
“We’ll make sure that all the sites we provide will pass traffic, thanks to our close collaboration with the telcos,” he said.
To improve sustainability, many rural sites are being powered by solar energy, while others use the national grid (ECG). GIFEC is actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure stable power supply across all sites.
On long-term sustainability, Dr. Computer noted that although GIFEC is not subvented by the government, it will continue to fund equipment, infrastructure, and operational costs necessary for the coding programme to flourish.
“The sustainability plan is based on how we are going to continue to fund the activities… we are in the forefront, and we will continue to deliver,” he concluded.
The One Million Coders initiative is set to be a game-changer; not only as a skills development project but as a tech-based equalizer, narrowing the digital divide and providing real opportunities for Ghanaians across all corners of the country.
By: Shadrack Odame Agyare | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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