Prince Ofosu Sefa appointed administrator of GIFEC
President Akufo-Addo, through the Minister responsible for Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP), has appointed Mr Prince Ofosu Sefa as the administrator of Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) an Agency of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization.
Mr. Prince Sefa takes over from Mr Kofi Asante, the Founding administrator, who is now retiring, after two stints at the helm of affairs at GIFEC.
Prior to this appointment, Mr. Sefa served for 4 years as Deputy Director-General for the National Communication Authority (NCA) in charge of Operations, where he led NCA’s decentralized Field & Regional Operations across the country as well as the critical Administration function.
With his wealth and years of experience in the ICT and Telecom space, Mr. Sefa 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 digitization.
Job Ahead
Prince Sefa will be expected to lead GIFEC to achieve its main objectives which are to facilitate the provision of universal access to electronic communication by the unserved and underserved communities, and to facilitate the provision of internet point of presence in underserved and unserved communities.
He will also spearhead GIFEC activities aimed at facilitating capacity building programmes and promotion of ICT inclusion in the unserved and underserved communities, facilitate the deployment of ICT and equipment to educational, vocational and other training institutions and develop an effective human resource base for the Agency, as outlined in the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
GIFEC
The promulgation of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) gave legal backing to the organization, thereby changing its name to Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), 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 organization 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.
Profile of Prince Sefa
Mr Sefa 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.
Prince Sefa 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 is also a Board Member of the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana, over the last four (4) years.
Sefa holds a Bachelor of Commerce (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 an alumnus of St. Peters Senior High School, Nkwatia and Nkawkaw Secondary School.
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 has in the past worked as IT specialist for Citibank and General Electric all in Toronto, Canada.
Prince is a recipient of an Economics Book Prize, 2000 (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 Organization (TMI).
He was once Vice President of Education and then the President of the North York Toastmasters Club, in Toronto, Canada. He won several awards in Speech and Evaluation Contests as well as Leadership Awards during his time in TMI.
Mr. Prince Sefa is an impactful Leader, Fundraiser, Writer and Organizer. For over a decade, he held various Executive roles within NPP’s Canada Branch and its Toronto & Edmonton Chapters.
He is currently the Chairman of a vibrant and registered Non-profit Organization called Diaspora Patriots in Ghana (DPG) Foundation, which is a New Patriotic Party Association/Fraternity for Members/Supporters who used to live abroad but have relocated or are relocating to Ghana.