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Accra – July 4^th – RSVP Now

There is a recent surging interest in exploring alternative strategies for reaching the unconnected particularly in rural localities. Innovations in low-cost communication technology have created new possibilities for the development of affordable, locally owned and managed communication infrastructure which feeds into SDG 9, that seeks to ensure equal access to information and knowledge, as well as foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

As a result, a growing number of communities, small, local and regional operators have taken a more pragmatic approach, using off-the-shelf low-cost commodity networking equipment to provide for themselves and others with Wi-Fi, GSM and fibre connections.

But these innovative bottom-up initiatives are still relatively rare and may be dependent on a unique opportunity or special set of circumstances. They generally face overwhelming regulatory and financial hurdles and require technical, economic and regulatory support to meet scaling and sustainability challenges. They are also hard pressed to exchange experiences and learning systematically, which makes facing these challenges even more difficult.

In July 2019, the Accra Tech Salon will focus on alternative, inexpensive and off-the-shelf technologies that rural and hard-to-reach areas in Ghana can use to stay connected and what government has in its digital roadmap for such communities.

This Tech Salon is hinged on SDG 9, which aims at bridging the digital divide for the more than 4 billion people who still do not have access to the Internet, and 90% are from the developing world (El-Darwiche, et al., 2016).

Thought leaders from government agencies, ministries, civil society and IT institutions among others will for the 2-hour period deliberate on such issues as:

• What are the current means of connectivity to rural areas?
• Does government’s flagship ICT projects cover these areas?
• What other resources can be utilized in connecting rural Ghana?
• What are the alternatives elsewhere and how are they applicable here?

We’ll have hot coffee and catered breakfast treats for a morning rush, but seating is limited. Once we reach our 30-person capacity there will be a waiting list!

Alternatives for rural connectivity in Ghana

July Technology Salon Accra

4^th July 2019

9am – 11am

New Media Hub at Penplusbytes

No.1 Ostwe Close, Ako Adjei, Osu,

Accra, Ghana

RSVP is required for attendance