The Deputy Clerk to Parliament, in charge of Information Management Service and a
Ghana School on Internet Governance (GhanaSig) Fellow, Dr Gloria Sarku Kumawu, has called on governments in Africa to position themselves in good stead to ensure the provision of uninterrupted internet connectivity to all, irrespective of their geographical location.
Dr. Kumawu was presenting a paper on the topic, “international trade and internet governance, the African perspective”, at the opening of a four day in person training for potential fellows of the Ghana School on Internet Governance, GhanaSig’25.
She examined the impact of regulations governing international trade between and among nations, and the limitations they present and the relatively free space of the internet and the effects (risks) of these in today’s social, political and economic space.
She emphasized the need for policies to be put in place to regulate international trade among nation states and multinational groups, bearing in mind, the freedoms that the internet presents, stating a need to harmonize these for overall development. Dr Kumawu also drew attention to the fact that while internet connectivity is slowest in African countries, they are most expensive, compared to other countries.
The training programme gives participants the opportunity to learn and gain expertise in internet governance. In all, fifty two participants from three countries, Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Fasso are participating in the training.