This high-level working visit marked a significant milestone in fostering deeper collaboration between Parliament and the Registry, providing an invaluable platform to enhance the Committee’s understanding of GDNR’s statutory mandate, operational framework, and strategic vision for driving Ghana’s digital transformation and internet governance agenda.

Acting Executive Director, Mr. Wisdom Donkor, together with the GDNR management and technical team, delivered comprehensive presentations and in-depth briefings on the Registry’s ongoing reform initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and sustainability. He underscored the remarkable progress achieved through the DNS cybersecurity training program and the continuous monitoring and analysis of the country’s DNS infrastructure, key initiatives designed to enhance cyber resilience, promote digital trust, and strengthen the capacity of government institutions, academia, civil society, and private sector stakeholders within Ghana’s broader digital ecosystem.

The Committee’s commendation, constructive feedback, and assurance of steadfast support were profoundly appreciated as GDNR continues its mission to fortify the nation’s digital infrastructure, ensure a secure and resilient domain name system, and promote local internet development. GDNR looks forward to deepened collaboration with Parliament and other stakeholders in safeguarding Ghana’s digital sovereignty and advancing a robust, inclusive, and secure internet ecosystem for national growth and innovation.

The board’s core mission is to spearhead the enhancement of the management and governance of Ghana’s country code top-level domain, .gh. This initiative aims to ensure the domain is robust, transparent, and fully aligned with national objectives. Furthermore, the board is tasked with a comprehensive agenda to strengthen Ghana’s overall digital infrastructure.

This appointment represents a pivotal step in optimizing Ghana’s digital assets and cultivating an environment built on public trust and international credibility. The GDNR anticipates a period of innovative leadership and expert contributions from this esteemed board as they embark on this crucial mission.

Introducing the New GDNR Governing Board

The newly appointed members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to guide the GDNR:

• Estelle Akorfio Sowah – Chairperson
• Wisdom Kwasi Donkor – Executive Director
• Dr. Paul Asante Danquah – Member
• Eric Ogum Akumiah – Member
• Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye – Member
• Prof. Albert Ayikwei Addo-Quaye, Ph.D – Member
• Solomon Tetteh Mensah – Member
• Prof. Amos tiereyangn Kabo-Bah – Member
• Christabel Aretha Addo-Mfoama – Member

Meeting Highlights

Policy Review and Public Input: Discussions centered on the upcoming review of the .GH domain name policy. Mr. Asafu-Aidoo, GDNR representative, emphasized the importance of community involvement. He announced the creation of a Policy Input Committee (PIC) and a dedicated online portal for submissions.

Leadership Structure for the LIC: A lively conversation ensued regarding the LIC’s leadership structure. Participants emphasized the need for inclusive representation, including government agencies, private organizations, technical communities, academia, security agencies, women’s groups, civil society, and registrars. An online participant, Mr. Kofi Ansah, a representative from the Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA) proposed media representation, suggesting partnerships with media houses to raise awareness.

Learning from Others: Recognizing the value of established models, members suggested studying how other communities have structured their leadership.

Formalizing the LIC: Mr. Eugene Owusu, a potential registrar advocated for a formal constitution or guidelines to guide the LIC’s development and solidify its structure.

Collaboration and Delegation

A video presentation by GDNR Board Chair Dr. Nanayaa Prempeh highlighted her participation at ICANN 78. Key takeaways included representing the GDNR and the LIC at the general meeting, discussing delegation with stakeholders, and fostering relationships with other registries.

The LIC members deliberated on media engagement, ultimately deciding to leverage all available resources before seeking media involvement to expedite the delegation process.

Looking Ahead

The 5th LIC meeting underscored the GDNR’s commitment to transparency and collaboration. The focus on policy review, inclusive leadership, and collective action positions the LIC for a productive role in shaping the future of the .GH domain name.

“Once this is completed, a lot more Registrars can be brought on board to sell .GH domain names and thus allow for best practice using the 3-R model (Registrant, Registrar and Registry) in Ghana. Allowing many more Registrar companies to be involved will increase the reach of the Registry and enliven the DNS ecosystem in Ghana as a whole” she said.

The Board is made up of Dr Nana Yaa Tina Owusu-Prempeh (Rev.) as the Chairperson with Nana Kofi Asare-Aidoo, Mr Andrew Ayitey Okoe Bulley, Dr Francis Boateng Agynim, ACP Vance Baba Gariba, Mr Lucas Yikimpa Chigabatia, Prof. Daniels Obeng- Ofori, Ing. Isaac Teye Ayiku and Mad. Estelle Akoflo-Sowah as members.

Addressing the members of the Board, the Minister underscored the importance of the GDNR in handling .GH domain names, stressing that is vital to the Government’s digitalization agenda since the local domain names form a core part of the local Internet.

“The Registry is a crucial resource for everyone as the  transfer of individuals onto digital platforms is part of the digital economy. This would allow  individuals, government, and commercial institutions to take full advantage of the numerous benefits the Internet brings, accelerating the growth of the economy generally” the Minister noted.

According to Mrs Owusu-Ekuful the GDNR is still in its formative stages and that places a responsibility on the Governing Board to fully operationalise it and provide the needed strategic direction to ensure that the GDNR plays its role in Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.

Members of the Governing Board she indicated have been carefully selected to represent all facets of the GDNR stakeholder community.

“I expect to feel the presence of the Governing Board within the shortest possible time by addressing the most critical issues facing the GDNR and must reiterate that we expect a lot from you, and I believe you will vindicate the appointing authority, HE the President’s faith in you” she said.

Minister challenged members to channel all efforts at ensuring that the re-delegation process is completed and the basic infrastructure of the GDNR strengthened to ensure the resilience of its systems to fully carry out its mandate in the interest of the people of Ghana and the Internet community at large.

This is of utmost importance, as stated earlier, because all other activities of the GDNR hinge on this.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful paid glorying tribute to Prof. Nii Narku Quaynor, who is the father of the internet in Ghana and to a large extent in Africa.

She noted that as far back as 2006 , when very few people knew what the internet was, he established one of first ICANN Accredited Domain Registrars in Africa, Ghana Dot Com (GDC), has been instrumental in the development of the internet, active in academia and has served on several boards and commissions including ICANN, UN ICT Task Force, IGF-MAG, ICANN Strategy Panel on Public Responsibility, and the Global Commission on Internet Governance (GCIG). He is the Founding Chairman of AfriNIC as well as a founding member of AfricaCERT and WACREN amongst many others.

“We appreciate his efforts in developing the internet community globally and I urge you to work closely with him to ensure a seamless redelegation exercise. I have already had a series of conversations with him in this regard and have no doubt that the inauguration of this board today will galvanise thèse efforts and help us make history together as we work to operationalise our law. Prof, Ayekoo, as you pass the baton you have carried so ably on to the next generation and hopefully work with them to cement Ghana’s place in the history of the development of this pivotal industry on the continent” she added.

Dr Nana Yaa  Tina Owusu Prempeh (Rev.) who spoke on behalf of the board members  thanked the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo for the trust reposed in them and assured that the Board will work with the Ministry and the relevant agencies to ensure that they meet their target.

Credit: Justice Dzido, thepublisheronline.com