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General News of Monday, April 15, 2019
Source: ghananewsagency.org
2019-04-15
Minister of Communication, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful
The National Information Technology Agency (NITA), the regulator of electronic transactions, says its activities are being paralyzed by the 13 million GH ¢ due by ministries, departments and agencies (MDA) and some district bademblies.
The Agency also faces challenges related to frequent fiber optic interruptions and battery theft at its cell sites, which also compromises its commitment to providing efficient Internet services to its subscribers.
Communication Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said on Monday that she was concerned about the situation and urged debtors to use their annual budget appropriations to benefit from improved NITA services.
"No self-respecting organization can function effectively in a modern workplace without access to the Internet," she said at the launch of the Stakeholder Forum for the Information Technology and Information Technology Sector. Communication (ICT), organized by NITA in Accra.
"Most of you quickly pay for the services you get from private Internet service providers; Do the same for NITA, "said the minister.
The meeting brought together officials from different government institutions, universities, the private sector, development partners and civil society organizations to discuss issues of common interest related to the electronics industry.
For example, it disseminated information on progress in ICT infrastructure and involved stakeholders in the Government's policy directions.
This measure aims to ensure the full implementation of Law No. 771 of 2008 on the National Agency for Information Technology and Law No. 772 on Electronic Transactions.
Ms. Owusu-Ekuful said that the government was developing the necessary regulations to give effect to both laws, given the increased digitization of public services and to ensure that NITA effectively discharges of his mandate.
The Ministry of Communication is also working with the NITA Board of Directors to restructure and strengthen its operations to reduce the duplication and waste of ICT procurement in government institutions.
As a result of the restructuring process, the Minister stated, "NITA will define the minimum information technology (IT) standards that each MDA must comply with and establish the compliance mechanisms.
"Therefore, no agency will provide software, hardware or IT services without reference to NITA and you will need to seek its advice before doing so."
The ministry also works with the Ministry of Finance, the procurement authority, and the Auditor General to enforce these regulations.
Until the capacity of the national data center is exhausted, no MDA would create its own data center, Owusu-Ekuful explained: you are doing it now. "
The government, she said, will soon begin an audit of computer systems to enable NITA to determine the level of resources in the country.
This would lead to appropriate recommendations for upgrades, replacement or better use, she said and urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the audit team to ensure the success of the project. # 39; exercise.
David Gyewu, Acting Director General of NITA, explaining the effects of fiber cuts, called for collective efforts by all stakeholders to curb the threat.
The phenomenon slowed Internet connectivity and had a negative impact on the delivery of public services, he warned.
He added that because of the debt of the MDAs and the bademblies, the agency could not pay some of its service providers abroad.
It also owes some local utility companies a total of 80 million ¢.
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