Government invests $5m in e-justice scheme – Minister
Government has so far invested $5 million into the e-justice programme to boost the administration of justice, Dr Omane-Boamah, the Communications Minister, has said.
The scheme is expected to boost transparency and research as well as speed up the administration of court processes in order to spur public confidence in the country’s justice system and kindle investor interest.
The announcement comes barely 15 months after President John Dramani Mahama assured the public in January last year that the government would provide additional $5 million by the close of March 2015 for roll out of e-Justice plan.
The Minister said this in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of National Communication’s Authority (NCA) 20th anniversary and unveiling of its anniversary logo on Thursday.
The anniversary is on the theme: “NCA: 20 years of progressive and dynamic regulatory achievements.”
He said the project would improve efficiency in the delivery of justice and better position the arm of government charged to interpret the law to effectively execute its mandate.
Dr Boamah said communication sector has contributed greatly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product adding that government would continue to introduce the necessary interventions and investments to grow the sector.
“The immense benefit of the communications sector today is seen not only in appreciable quality of service being enjoyed by consumers but the financial dividends that benefit the economy making the sector one of the country’s biggest tax payers,” he said.
Dr Boamah said the establishment of a Business Processing Outsourcing centre at Circle is projected to create over 10,000 direct and indirect job openings to the youth and entrepreneurs.
The government has established a data centre in Accra, with a back-up system created in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region, he said, adding that the deployment of fibre optic infrastructure and 4G LTE across the country is also expected to improve communication access and service to rural and urban populations.
“The industry is now stronger and better capitalised and grows by the day,” Dr Boamah said, and announced that Ghana would complete the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting by the end of June this year.
Mr William Tevie, NCA Director-General, said the Authority established in 1996 with one office in Accra could now boast of eight regional offices located in Ho, Sunyani, Koforidua, Bolgatanga, Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale.
The Authority would continue to deliver services at the door-steps of communities and facilitate the monitoring of spectral resources and quality of service delivered by telecos to consumers, he said.
The NCA was established to license and regulate electronic communication activities services for the orderly development and operation of communications services.
But after 20 years of operation, Mr Tevie said: “the [NCA] as a regulatory body, we are proud of how far the ICT industry in Ghana has evolved over the past 20 years, we as an authority will continue to implement progressive and dynamic policies and programmes to put Ghana on the map as the leading provider of ICT services within the Sub Saharan African region.”
Source: GNA