LIC – GDNR

Accra Internet Exchange Executive Director Pays Courtesy Call on GDNR

Kwadwo Boadu — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 12:30:21 +0000

Earlier today, April 11, 2025, Mr. Silas Peprah, the Executive Director of the Accra Internet Exchange Point (Accra IX) Accra-IX paid a courtesy call on Mr. Wisdom Kwasi Donkor, the Acting Executive Director of the Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR) to explore collaborative opportunities aimed at strengthening Ghana’s Internet infrastructure.

The visit focused on strategic discussions to support GDNR’s ongoing reforms to expand its service delivery across the country and also secure Ghana’s cyber space . Central to the conversation was how GDNR can leverage Accra-IX’s robust infrastructure to enhance its reach by installing additional servers in other regions. This move aligns with GDNR’s commitment to decentralize its operations and improve national access to the .GH registry services.

The engagement also formed part of Accra-IX’s ambitious 80/20 agenda, which targets retaining 80% of Ghana’s internet traffic within the country while only 20% is routed externally. Hosting GDNR on the exchange point is a significant step towards this goal, as it will reduce latency and improve access speed for users of the .GH domain, thereby supporting the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations broader aim of reducing data costs in Ghana.

Additionally, both parties emphasized that bringing essential services like GDNR to the exchange point would serve as a strong incentive for global Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to establish local presence in Ghana, further enhancing internet speed and affordability.

The visit underscored a shared vision of a more connected and digitally resilient Ghana through strategic partnerships and local infrastructure growth.

Strengthening Partnerships for Ghana’s Digital Future

Kwadwo Boadu — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 11:08:11 +0000

The newly appointed Executive Director of the Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR), Mr. Wisdom Kwasi Donkor paid a courtesy call to the current managers of the .gh registry, Ghana Dot Com Limited. The visit served as an opportunity to formally introduce himself to Professor Nii Quaynor, Chairman of Ghana Dot Com and current admin PoC of .gh registry, and other senior executives.
Accompanying Mr. Donkor on this important visit were members of the GDNR delegation: Kwaku Antwi, Benedict Obirim Sagoe, Francis Acquah Amaning and Kwadwo Boadu Jr

During the meeting, Mr. Donkor emphasized his commitment to collaboration and innovation, sharing insights into the ongoing reforms within the GDNR. He expressed his eagerness to draw from the wealth of experience held by Professor Quaynor, a pioneer in Ghana’s tech landscape. Professor Nii Quaynor advised the GDNR team to focus on community-led involvement, highlighting that the .gh registry is a shared national asset requiring transparent and inclusive management.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in ensuring that the .gh registry continues to serve the interests of the Ghanaian community while advancing the nation’s digital identity.

Ghana Domain Name Registry Convenes 1st Local Internet Community Meeting of 2024

Kwadwo Boadu — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:05:00 +0000

The Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR) hosted the 1st Local Internet Community (LIC) meeting of 2024 on Wednesday, January 31st 2024. The physical meeting, held at the MoCD conference room, brought together representatives from various Internet-related organizations to discuss the delegation of the .GH domain name to the GDNR and strengthen ties between the GDNR and the LIC.

Focus on Multistakeholder Management and LIC Engagement

The agenda centered on progress towards a multistakeholder management model for the .GH domain name. A demonstration of the Policy Input Portal was provided, offering attendees a glimpse into the participatory process. Additionally, the GDNR announced an upcoming call for registrars, ensuring a competitive landscape for .GH domain registration.

Attendance and Representation

While the GDNR anticipated 45 attendees, a total of 31 individuals participated, with 26 attending physically and 5 joining virtually via Zoom. This representation reflects the commitment of various stakeholders within the Ghanaian internet community.

Action Points for Continued Collaboration

Key action points emerged from the discussions, including:

Broadening the LIC’s membership by inviting media outlets and private organizations.
Establishing a formal leadership and governance structure for the LIC.

The meeting concluded with recommendations for the GDNR. Participants encouraged the GDNR to:

Organize regular meetings to keep the LIC informed about the delegation process and GDNR activities.
Follow up with organizations that consistently miss LIC meetings.

Positive Outcomes and Looking Forward

The meeting served as a successful platform for PoCs to share their perspectives and experiences with the .GH domain name administration. The GDNR’s commitment to open communication and collaboration bodes well for the future of the .GH domain name.

5th Local Internet Community Meeting in 2023 focuses on Policy Review, Leadership, and Collaboration

Kwadwo Boadu — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 14:30:00 +0000

The Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR) convened the 5th Local Internet Community (LIC) meeting of the year on Thursday, 2nd November 2023. The meeting, which included both physical and virtual attendees, addressed key issues related to the .GH domain name and the LIC’s development.

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.

Empowering the Internet Ecosystem: Highlights from the 3rd Local Internet Community Meeting

Kwadwo Boadu — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 14:06:29 +0000

The Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR) organized the 3rd Local Internet Community (LIC) meeting, a pivotal event aimed at fostering collaboration and addressing challenges within Ghana’s digital landscape.
The event brought together key players from various organizations and marked a significant step towards advancing the management of .GH domain names. Held at the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) conference room, the meeting served as a platform for productive discussions, strategic planning, and strengthening relationships.

One of the central objectives of the LIC meeting was to formally introduce the Point of Contacts (POCs) from diverse organizations to the Minister for Communication and Digitalisation, Hon Ursula Owusu-Ekuful. This provided an excellent opportunity for an open dialogue, enabling the POCs to present their perspectives and insights directly to the Minister. Such engagement not only strengthens ties but also underscores the commitment of both government bodies and private sector entities to drive the nation’s digital advancement.

The meeting facilitated discussions around the challenges the GDNR has faced in its endeavor to successfully transfer the management of .GH domain names. Drawing inspiration from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority’s (CIRA) redelegation history, the LIC participants engaged in thought-provoking conversations and shared best practices. These discussions served as a foundation for understanding the current status of the delegation process and creating a roadmap for future progress.