Honorable Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications in her keynote address said the Regional Development Forum provides the oppourtunity for RTU members across the region to share experiences and achievements as they work towards strengthening partnerships, enhancing  regional integration, building digital economies and fostering innovation in Africa. "Interestingly, our President  Nana Akuffo Addo, is the current co-chair of the UN Sustainable Development Goal Advocate Group and is keenly aware of how vital ICT is for the attainment of all the SDGS. Our theme is therefore apt and we are grateful to ITU and BDT (Telecommunication Development Bureau) for the honour of hosting the 2018 RDF in Accra" she noted.

The disrupting power of technology is impacting every area of our lives, enforcing us to rethink and innovate daily, "it is a classic case of adapt or die ". Mrs Owusu-Ekuful added that, "we need to build a resilient broadband infrastructure across the continent, provide the requisite IT(Information Technology) knowledge and skills for our people especially the youth and position them to take advantage of oppourtunities provided by the multi-billion applications and software industry".

The Honorable minister also pointed out that in 2016 the global digital economy was worth USD 11.5 trillion or 15.5 per cent of the world's GDP. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that the internet will contribute about USD 300 billion to Africa's GDP by 2025. She said with Sub-Saharan Africa's  dynamic young population, vast natural resources and untapped internal markets , Africa is uniquely positioned to maximize the unprecedented  oppourtunities the digital revolution offers.

She said no one should be left behind in the use of ICTs saying the institution of Africa's initiatives will aid them reap the full benefits of the digital transformation for Africa. "It is also important to address issues such as cyber security, e-waste and carbon emissions, child online and more".

"As part of the digital Ghana agenda, we are embarking on an ambitious infrastructural development program  with the National Broadband inter connectivity for the unserved and under-served at the heart of the agenda". She mentioned initiatives such as the Paperless Port System, Integrated E-immigration System, E-procurement, E-parliament, E-justice, E-cabinet and smart work places, Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI) among others which provide the foundation to formalising our economy.

In order to achieve this, she made known the impending launch of a massive IT training project across the country as part of the universal access program.

"We can't also limit technological advancement to only the urban centers, we need to expand to include all the various under-served communities around the country so it will be possible for all the initiatives we are putting in place to make these services accessible to every Ghanaian. It is imperative that we deepen inclusion through the provision of infrastructure, affordable internet and give people the  requisite skills in order to utilise these services".

 Honourable Owusu-Ekuful emphasised that it is not enough to talk about fine words but rather the need to focus on how technology is impacting, easing how business and communication is done, assisting in education, health etcetera.

In his opening remarks, Mr Joseph Anokye, Director  General for the National Communications Authority said the African region is represented in ITU by over 40 countries made up of both public and private representations. This he said speaks to the  immense contribution Africa makes in the telecommunication landscape globally. He said the theme is a clear indication of the relevance of the upcoming discussion on the role telecommunication plays in the implementation of the UN17 SDGs(Sustainable Development Goals) . It is also a clear indication of  the growing importance of telecommunication in the economic and social development of member countries. Such forums he said provide the oppourtunity for comprehensive dialogue amongst ITU  stakeholders  and hoped participants will take advantage of the forum.

Mr Brahima Sanou, Director for ITU  Telecommunications Bureau Development  stated that this is the first development forum after the  first in Buenos Aires in 2017 (BaAP 2017). "It is the implementation of SDGs that accelerate development in ICT to make our communities smarter and empower people with disabilities as well. Let us work to put human faces to ICTS. Everybody should be able to use ICTs to empower themselves and their communities". He said it is up to us to take up the challenge or remain just consumers.

As stakeholders,  it is important to work hand in hand to make sure things happen. The forum he said was crafted to be a place to interact based on priorities which means we can discuss the priorities for Africa.  During this forum, the regional office will present ideas and projects from initiatives and counted on participants to use these projects.

The ITU is a global union that assists member states, academia, industry, governments to take advantage to develop ICT according to Mr Andrew Rugege. It has affirmed its reputation worldwide as one of the most resilient and relevant organisations and it continues it's work as the specialized agency of the United Nations for telecommunications and information and communication technologies.

The event was attended by the Minister of Communication ; Honorable Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Information; Honourable Mustapha Hamid, Director for ITU Telecommunication Bureau Development ; Mr Brahima Sanou, The Regional Director for ITU ; Mr Andrew  Rugege, Director General for National Communications Authority ; Mr Joseph Anokye, Deputy Minister for Communication; Honourable George Andah as well as the President for the Osu Traditional Council and Greater Accra House of Chiefs ; Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI.