Hon. Sam George Introduces New Acting Deputy Administrator of GIFEC to Staff
The Honourable Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations (MoCDTI), Hon Samuel Nartey George has officially introduced Hon. Abdul-Aziz Mohammed the new Acting Deputy Administrator of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) to staff at a brief ceremony. The appointment marks a new phase for GIFEC as the government outlines a refined vision to maximize the impact of its initiatives on rural connectivity, digital inclusion, and economic transformation.
In his address, the Minister highlighted a strategic shift in GIFEC’s focus, emphasizing the transition of GIFEC’s Rural Telephony Sites from mere rural connectivity infrastructure to fully operational commercial hubs. This transition aims to promote digital entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and e-commerce in unserved and underserved communities, thereby unlocking economic opportunities for rural dwellers.
Hon. Samuel George underscored the importance of GIFEC’s Community ICT Centres (CICs) in leveraging internet access to improve livelihoods. “As part of the government’s broader digitalisation agenda, efforts will be made to rehabilitate and retool the CICs to support the ambitious One Million Coders training programme, ensuring that rural youth acquire relevant ICT skills for global opportunities” the Minister said.
He announced plans to transform the CICs into key drivers of the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, extending their operational hours to facilitate digital services, online education, and business support around the clock.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring GIFEC plays a pivotal role in Ghana’s digital transformation by expanding access to high-speed internet in rural areas, creating commercial opportunities around digital infrastructure, strengthening ICT education and skills development through the CICs and positioning GIFEC as a key enabler of Ghana’s digital economy.
He called on staff to embrace this new direction and work collaboratively with the Acting Administrator and the newly appointed Deputy Administrator to achieve these goals.
Expressing his gratitude, the newly introduced Deputy Administrator Hon. Abdul-Aziz Mohammed thanked the President and the Minister for entrusting him with this critical role. He pledged his commitment to working with the entire GIFEC team to realize the government’s digital inclusion agenda. He emphasized the need for teamwork, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration to achieve GIFEC’s renewed objectives.
“I am excited to be back at GIFEC in a different capacity. Having previously served as Finance Manager here, I am familiar with the dedication and hard work of the staff. I look forward to working together to drive digital transformation and economic empowerment across Ghana,” he stated.
Hon. Abdul-Aziz is a seasoned financial and political figure with a wealth of experience in governance and digital communications. He previously served as the Finance Manager at GIFEC from 2009-2017, contributing significantly to the organization’s financial strategy. Beyond his tenure at GIFEC, he was a Member of Parliament for Mion Constituency in the Northern Region from 2017-2021 and has been an active member of the NDC Communications team, playing a key role in shaping national policy discussions on digitalisation and ICT.
His appointment is expected to bring a blend of financial expertise, policy insight, and strategic leadership to GIFEC as it embarks on this transformative journey.
