The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), has received a delegation from the Gambian Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure, in Accra.

The visit was for members of the delegation to acquaint themselves with policies, strategies, activities, programmes, application of resources, as well as challenges that confront GIFEC in the implementation of its mandate.

The team visited the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and GIFEC.

Mr Ebrima Sillah, the Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, who is also the head of the delegation, said the visit would empower them to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Gambia, through the adoption and implementation of innovation-friendly policies and strategies.

He said it would also promote and foster digital entrepreneurship in the Gambia through government-led innovation ventures, enhance the ICT policy and regulatory environment and ensure increased utilisation of ICT infrastructure and improved access to ICT services.

Mr Prince Ofosu Sefah, the Administrator of GIFEC said, the Fund was happy to share lessons and experiences from the implementation of its Universal Access Fund with the delegation.

He highlighted key successes chalked by the Fund over the past 17 years, laying emphasis on the significant role of strategic partnerships and innovation in the accomplishment of the same.

Mr Sefah, however, underscored the need to engage more stakeholders as partners to augment the inadequate resources of the Fund to expand ICT to the remotest part of the country.

The Fund Administrator noted with displeasure the financial challenges facing most Mobile Network Operators as well as the fast-changing nature of the revenue streams in the telecommunications industry without requisite regulatory realignment, which posed major risks to the health of the sector over the medium to long term.

The day's visit featured a comprehensive presentation about the Fund's Formation, Structures, Funding, Application of Resources, Projects, and Programmes undertaken.

Other issues discussed included; the Policy and Legislative framework for the establishment of GIFEC, challenges, and the way forward.

Members of the delegation are: Mr. Yusupha Jobber, Director-General, Public Utilities Regulatory Authority; Mrs. Amie Njie, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and ICT Infrastructure; Mr. Assan LS. Jammeh, Senior Planner, Ministry of Information and ICT Infrastructure.

The rest are: Mr. Lamin Tunkara, Deputy Managing Director, the Gambia Telecommunications Company Limited; Mr Bakary Krubally, Director of Loans, Ministry of Finance; Mr. Malang A. Bass, DPS Technical, Ministry of Information and ICT Infrastructure; Mr. Amadou Nyang, Director of ICT, Ministry of Information and ICT Infrastructure.