Samuel Nartey George has urged the international community to strengthen protection for telecommunications infrastructure during armed conflicts.
Addressing delegates at the ongoing International Telecommunication Union Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, he argued that telecom networks should be classified as essential infrastructure, alongside hospitals and schools.
He explained that communication systems play a vital role in delivering services such as healthcare, education, and emergency response.
Any damage or disruption to these networks, he noted, can have immediate and widespread effects, especially on institutions that depend on reliable connectivity.
The minister cautioned that deliberate attacks on telecom facilities could weaken national stability and endanger public safety.
He also called on the ITU to adopt a firm global position on the matter, stressing that the increasing targeting of telecom infrastructure in conflict zones requires urgent international attention.
Referring to tensions in the Gulf region, he said the issue extends beyond one area and demands a coordinated global response.
George proposed that telecom infrastructure be formally included under international protection rules, similar to safeguards already in place for hospitals and educational institutions.
According to him, such recognition would help secure essential services and protect civilians during periods of crisis.
Ghana, he added, supports global efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts but believes stronger collective action is needed to stop the rising attacks on digital infrastructure.
He further described telecommunications systems as critical to modern society and national resilience, urging swift steps to protect them.
“We know there are international standards for protecting facilities like hospitals and schools. The ITU should use this moment to clearly define how telecom infrastructure is viewed globally,” he said.
“If telecom systems are disrupted, it affects services in hospitals and schools. Ghana supports this proposal and believes the ITU must take a global stance to protect telecom infrastructure in the same way as other critical facilities.”
He concluded by calling for urgent measures to address both current tensions in the Gulf and similar situations elsewhere, where communication networks are increasingly becoming targets during conflicts.