The Universal Access Development Fund (UADF) recently concluded a successful three-day retreat to enhance its strategy, communication initiatives, and development goals. The event, which took place from the 5^th to the 7^th of December, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including the UADF’s leadership, government officials, representatives from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and experts from various sectors. The retreat featured a series of statements, presentations, and plenary sessions designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and efficiency in the country’s development landscape.

Opening Statements from UADF Leadership

The retreat commenced with a keynote address by the CEO of UADF, Madam Marie Momoh, who emphasized the fund’s critical role in supporting the country’s national development agenda. The CEO outlined UADF’s commitment to expanding access to communication and technology in underserved areas, contributing to economic growth, social equity, and improved service delivery, and also reflected on the challenges the Fund faced like limited funding, manpower, infrastructure, and the successes and significant gains the Fund has made from when it started till date. “This retreat offers us an invaluable opportunity to refine our strategies, strengthen partnerships, and align our efforts with national development priorities,” said Madam Momoh.

The Deputy CEO, Mr. Abubakr Sappay Foray-Musa, added to the conversation by highlighting that UADF would not be able to do such an incredible job without the help and support of the Fund’s governing body, The Board of Trustees, The Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation (MoCTI) The Regulatory body (NaTCA) and Parliament. The Deputy CEO made a brief presentation on the topic “End of Year Reflection” He stated that this was an opportunity to reflect on the gains UADF made, the lessons learned, and the Core Values throughout the year. During the presentation, he talked about UADF’s identity map which highlighted the successes UADF made like the:

• Rural Telephony Project (RTP)
• Mobile-PECK (Phone, E-Transaction, Charging Kiosk)
• Study Tour
• Stronger Partnership & Collaboration
• Access to Devices
• SLDTP Access Gap Study,
• CDSC
• SLDTP Disbursement Condition Met

He stated that with these successes, UADF has been able to connect 5 communities, that is to say, close to 60,000 people now have access to connectivity, devices, and a lot more. “We must remain agile, embracing new technologies, and ideas collaborate more to serve our communities better, and ensure equitable access to communication services,” stated Mr. Abubakr Foray-Musa.

The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Amara Brewa, also provided insight into the broader vision for the UADF, stressing that achieving the fund’s long-term goals would require sustained collaboration with stakeholders from all sectors. He also highlighted the gains made over the year and how collaborating with partners helped achieve those goals. “Our success depends on the partnerships we forge and the collective commitment to bringing about change,” he remarked.

Contributions from the Ministry of Communication

Key representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation participated actively throughout the retreat, underscoring the importance of synergy between UADF and government efforts in the communication and technology sectors.

In his opening remarks, the Deputy Minister of Communication Technology, and Innovation, Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh thanked the CEO and management of UADF on behalf of the ministry for a job well done. He also stated that the UADF is complementing the vision of the President by providing connectivity to rural areas. He further explained by telling a story of the time he visited Sandor Chiefdom, Kono District, and was surprised that UADF was able to connect people in that region, seeing the excitement on people’s faces, he was filled with pride to be a partner of UADF and told them to keep serving the underserved and unserved. During his remarks, he asked what’s next for UADF, and what steps have been taken to upgrade these towers from 2G & 3G to 4G network. He suggested a partnership with Starlink, especially for data connectivity. He also asked the CEO and management, having achieved all of this, what other goals and objectives they are targeting next. He stressed collaboration and innovation. The Deputy Minister stressed the need for public-private partnerships to bridge the digital divide, stating, “We must work together to build a robust communication infrastructure that supports our country’s socio-economic development.”

The Director of Communication at the Ministry of Communication Technology & Innovation, Mr. Nyakeh Yormah, made a brief statement promising more support from the ministry and how proud they were to partner with UADF. He highlighted the importance of effective communication in both policy implementation and public engagement. “For our development projects to succeed, we must ensure that communication is both transparent and inclusive,” he explained.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication Technology & Innovation started with a quote from Helen Keller which states “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” which was a key theme for the retreat. He stressed the importance of collaboration and partnerships to achieve the goals set out by UADF and was pleased by the presence of different stakeholders and partners during the Retreat. “UADF is a good partner to collaborate with and we wish for further collaboration to achieve our goals which align with the Government’s BIG FIVE GAME CHANGERS” he explained.

The Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Communication, Technology & Innovation, Mr. James Koba, shared insights on the government’s current policy framework and how UADF’s projects could align with national goals for digital transformation. “Clear and forward-thinking policies are crucial for fostering sustainable development, and the UADF’s contributions will be essential to achieving these goals,” said Director Koba. The Director later gave a presentation on Mandate, Governance, and Regulatory Instruments concerning UADF.

Statements from the Director of Regulatory Affairs at NaTCA and the Chairman, of the Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Technology & Innovation emphasized collaboration and how proud they were to be partners with the FUND and hoped these partnerships and collaboration continued to achieve rural connectivity.

  Presentation by Research and Innovation Manager

A key moment of the retreat was a presentation by the Research and Innovation Manager, Mr. Sesay, who shared insights into the “Analysis of the UADF Strategic Plan 2020-2024” In his presentation, he talked about the Programs & Initiatives undertaken by the UADF like the Rural Telephony Project (RTP), Digital Literacy Training, Support for National Initiatives & ICT Hub. The list of Achievements like Connectivity Expansion, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Impact & Policy Alignment for 2024 were discussed. “But having achieved all this, we were still faced with challenges like Funding Constraints, Infrastructure Gaps, Digital Divide, and Low Awareness & Adoption” stated Mr. Sesay. He also explained the lessons learned during this period like The Importance of Partnership, Adaptability in Implementation, and The Need for Sustainable Solutions, and gave recommendations for Future Strategic Plans like Strengthening M&E Frameworks, Increase Stakeholder Collaboration, Expand Community Outreach, Prioritize Inclusivity & Enhance Financial Resilience latest research and innovations that could impact UADF’s work. presentation focused on emerging trends in digital technology, data analytics, and mobile communication. It also explored new methods for improving service delivery and addressing connectivity challenges in rural and underserved areas. “Innovation will be at the heart of our ability to solve some of the most pressing communication issues,” Mr. Sesay stated.

Plenary Sessions: Engaging MNOs and Key Stakeholders, SWOT Analysis, Review of Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Activities, The Development of Annual Work Plan 2025(Project Activities, Timeline & Responsibilities, and Review of UADF Employee Handbook.

One of the highlights of the retreat was a series of plenary sessions that brought together Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), government officials, and UADF leadership to discuss key issues surrounding communication infrastructure, digital policy, and strategic collaboration. These sessions allowed participants to share ideas, address challenges, and explore solutions for expanding network coverage, improving service quality, and enhancing access to affordable communication.

During these plenary discussions, MNO representatives expressed their commitment to supporting the national agenda for expanded digital access and service equity. “The role of MNOs is crucial in building the infrastructure needed to extend connectivity to all corners of the country. We are committed to working with UADF and other stakeholders to make this a reality,” stated the MNO Rep.

The topics discussed during the plenary sessions included:

• Bridging the digital divide in underserved and rural areas.
• Expanding broadband access and improving network reliability.
• Fostering greater collaboration between public and private sectors.
• Leveraging mobile technology for socio-economic development.
• How to Align UADF’s goal to the Government’s BIG FIVE GAME CHANGERS.
• Further Collaboration with partners and stakeholders from both Private & Public Sectors.

Collaborative Insights and Action Plans

The CEO’s closing Statement:

“This retreat has been a time of deep reflection, collaboration & and forward thinking and I am truly proud of the energy and ideas everyone brought to the table” Madam Momoh stated.

She also talked about the key outcomes of the retreat which included:

• 2024 Projects Review (Rural Telephony Project, The Feed Salone Smartphone Initiative, and the ICT Hub at Tokeh)

• 2025 Annual Work Plan (Roadmap for 2025 with clear goals and activities with a key focus on upgrading RTP sites from 3G to 4G Networks, Smartphone support for the Feed Salone Initiative, and Digital Training Programs for rural communities)

• 2025 to 2030 Strategic Plan Foundation (Groundwork for UADF’s Five-Year Strategy by identifying critical goals like promoting digital inclusion for marginalized groups, enhancing institutional capacity & adopting sustainable technologies like renewable energy)

• Employee Handbook Review (Identified gaps in the handbook including the need for clear policies on diversity, disability inclusion, grievance handling, and termination. Recommendations for updates were noted and will be prioritized)

• Strengthened Partnerships (Engagements with the Regulatory Board, Ministries, MNOs and the Private Sectors gaining meaningful insights to align UADF’s plan with National Priorities)

• Team Building & Collaboration

Madam Momoh also highlighted the next steps UADF will take which include: finalizing the Annual Workplan, stating that each department will break down its action items and begin immediate implementation, Monitory and Evaluation will be key to staying on track, Advancing the Strategic Plan Development, the terms of reference for the consultant to finalize 2025 to 2030 strategic plan will be implemented and shared, stakeholder input will be gathered to enrich the plan and ensure alignment with national goals. Update the employee handbook (Incorporating the recommendations discussed during the retreat to create a more inclusive, clear, and fair policy document), more partnerships, and a lot more.

Conclusion: A Unified Vision for Development

The three-day retreat organized by the Universal Access Development Fund was an invaluable opportunity for collaboration, learning, and strategic planning. With powerful statements from the UADF leadership, insightful contributions from government representatives, and presentations on cutting-edge research, the event helped set the stage for more effective, inclusive, and sustainable development initiatives in the country.

By bringing together experts from the Ministry of Communication, MNOs, and other stakeholders, the retreat reinforced the importance of a unified approach to tackling communication challenges and creating an environment that fosters growth and opportunity for all. As the UADF moves forward, the insights gained from this retreat will be essential in shaping its next steps and ensuring its continued contribution to the nation’s digital transformation and development goals.