By Alex Boye
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed Prince Sefah the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), an Agency of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation.
Mr. Prince Sefah takes over from Kofi Asante, the Founding and 2-Term CEO of GIFEC, who is now retiring gracefully from the organisation.
About GIFEC
The promulgation of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) gave the prevailing legal backing to the GIFEC, thereby changing the organisation’s original name of GIFTEL, as well as giving it an expanded mandate and scope.
The scope of operations of GIFEC as enshrined in section 32 of Act 775 mandates the organisation to facilitate the implementation of universal access to electronic communication and the provision of Internet Point of Presence in underserved and unserved communities.
GIFEC is also mandated to facilitate capacity building programmes and promote ICT inclusion in the unserved and underserved communities, as well as the deployment of ICT equipment to educational, vocational and other training institutions.
Many Ghanaians are lauding the President for this appointment. Some Industry Watchers have said that the choice of Mr. Sefah as CEO of GIFEC, is meant to boost support for the work of the Minister of Communications &Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, in furtherance of her renewed mandate to lead the President’s agenda to fast-track the digitalisation of the Ghanaian Economy.
Indeed, many have applauded the vigorous leadership of the Honourable Minister, who is already working frenetically and systematically to establish a new Best-in-Class Phone SIM registration process across the length and breadth of the country, towards weeding out SIMs used by fraudsters, beginning soon.
With the appointment of the relatively young and experienced former Deputy Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA) (operations) as the new CEO of GIFEC, the President is being hailed as bringing renewed drive to the implementation of the Universal Access to Digitisation programs of this government, as spearheaded by Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, MP.
Indeed, Ghana is considered the leading telecommunication and digital hub in the Sub Region. So, the digitalisation efforts are considered critical.
The appointment of Mr. Sefah took effect on 9th August, 2021. As mentioned earlier, Mr. Sefah is expected to bring to GIFEC renewed drive, innovation, strong industry experience, operations management and technological acumen, toward achieving the clear vision of GIFEC, which is to achieve universal access to digitisation.
Brief Profile about Mr. Sefa:
Mr. Sefah is a multi-faceted IT Executive who has about 25 years of professional experience, in areas such as Manufacturing, Banking, ICT, Oil & Gas and Telecommunications sectors in Central & Western Canada as well as in Ghana. He previously worked in senior IT Management roles at global Corporate Giants like General Electric and Citigroup.
In the 1st Term of the Nana Akufo-Addo Administration, he was a Board Member of the Accra Digital Centre, where he chaired the Board’s Technical & Operations Committee, under the Board Chairmanship of Mr. Kofi Asante.
He has also been a Board Member of the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana, since 2017.
He possesses a BComm (Information Technology Management) from Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada and a Master of Business Administration (Human Resources Management) from the University of Ghana, Legon.
He is currently pursuing a Senior Professional in Human Resources, International (SPHRi) Certification.
He is a multi-faceted Technology Leader who has completed many IT Industry Certifications and Training as well as attended many Trade Shows, Workshops and Conferences, domestically and internationally.
He is the recipient of an Economics Book Prize (on the Economy of Developing Countries) awarded by Ryerson University.
He has achieved an Advanced Leader (Silver) and Advanced Communicator (Silver) designations from Toastmasters International Organisation (TMI).
He won several awards in Speech and Evaluation Contests as well as Leadership Awards during his time in TMI.
Mr. Sefah attended St. Peter’s Secondary School for his A’ Level and Nkawkaw Secondary School for his O’ Level, before migrating to Canada for over 2 decades, until his return to live in Ghana a few years ago.
