Information for All Programme
Intergovernmental Programme Committees
About the Information for All Programme (IFAP)
The Information for All Programme (IFAP) is an intergovernmental programme of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), established in 2001 to promote universal access to information and knowledge as a foundation for building inclusive and sustainable knowledge societies.
The Programme supports UNESCO Member States in developing and implementing policies and strategies that promote equitable access to information, strengthen information literacy, preserve documentary heritage, advance information ethics, improve information accessibility and encourage multilingualism in cyberspace.
Through international cooperation, knowledge-sharing and partnerships, IFAP seeks to ensure that information and knowledge contribute meaningfully to education, research, innovation, civic participation and sustainable development.
The Ghana National IFAP Committee
The Ghana National Committee on the Information for All Programme is a multi-stakeholder body that supports the promotion and implementation of IFAP’s objectives in Ghana. It provides a platform for collaboration among relevant institutions and stakeholders to advance access to information and knowledge, promote information literacy and support the development of inclusive knowledge societies.
The Committee works to connect UNESCO’s global priorities on information and knowledge with Ghana’s national context through stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, institutional collaboration and the promotion of relevant initiatives.
The Ghana National IFAP Committee is hosted and chaired by the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC). Working in collaboration with the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, the Committee brings together representatives from public institutions, regulatory bodies, professional associations, civil society and other relevant organisations to support the objectives of the Programme.
Mandate and Functions
The Ghana National IFAP Committee works to:
- Promote awareness and understanding of UNESCO’s Information for All Programme and its objectives in Ghana.
- Facilitate collaboration among institutions and stakeholders working in information access, literacy, preservation, ethics, accessibility and digital inclusion.
- Support policy dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and expertise on issues relating to information and knowledge societies.
- Encourage initiatives that improve access to information and strengthen the capacity of individuals and communities to use information effectively and responsibly.
- Promote the preservation and continued accessibility of documentary heritage and other information resources.
- Encourage partnerships and resource mobilisation to support activities aligned with the Programme’s priorities.
- Facilitate the exchange of experiences and good practices between Ghanaian stakeholders and the wider UNESCO IFAP network.
Priority Areas
The work of the Ghana National IFAP Committee is guided by the six priority areas of UNESCO’s Information for All Programme.
- Information for Development
Promoting the use of information and knowledge to support development, informed decision-making and inclusive participation in society.
- Information Literacy
Strengthening the ability of individuals and communities to access, evaluate, understand, use and create information effectively and responsibly.
- Information Preservation
Promoting the preservation and continued accessibility of information resources and documentary heritage held in archives, libraries, museums and other memory institutions.
- Information Ethics
Encouraging ethical and responsible approaches to the creation, use and dissemination of information and the application of information and communication technologies.
- Information Accessibility
Promoting equitable access to information and addressing barriers that prevent individuals and communities, particularly underserved and marginalised groups, from accessing and benefiting from information.
- Multilingualism in Cyberspace
Supporting linguistic diversity and the use of local languages in digital environments to broaden participation in knowledge societies.
Membership of the Ghana IFAB Committee
The Ghana National IFAP Committee comprises representatives from institutions with complementary mandates and expertise in information, communication, digital technologies, public administration, information governance and related fields.
The Committee’s membership reflects a multi-stakeholder approach to advancing access to information and knowledge in Ghana.
| Name | Designation | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Mrs. Nana Akyaa Amoah-Amissah | Deputy CEO/Administrator; Chairperson, National IFAP Committee | Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) |
| Dr. Osman T. Damba | Secretary-General | Ghana Commission for UNESCO |
| Dr. Winnifred Nafisa Mahama | Acting Director | Information Services Department |
| George Sarpong | Executive Secretary | National Media Commission |
| Abdulai Awudu | General Manager, Multimedia Group Ltd. | Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association |
| Edward Addo-Yobo | Senior Librarian | Ghana Library Authority |
| Gregory Septimus Setse | Acting National Director | Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD) |
| Abigail Tibuah Yeboah | Head of Administration | Data Protection Commission |
| Stephen Owusu | Head of Legal | Right to Information Commission |
| Jake France | Head, Technology Security Standards | Cyber Security Authority |
| Precious Ankomah | Programme Director | Penplusbytes |
| Dominic Hlordzi | General Secretary | Ghana Journalists Association |
| Ishmael Genyah | Lead Information and Communication Officer | National Council on Persons with Disability |
| Joan Agyekum Nsowah | Programmes Officer | Ghana Commission for UNESCO |
IFAB Secretariat
The IFAP Secretariat is hosted by GIFEC and supports the coordination and administrative functions of the National Committee.
The Secretariat comprises:
- Doh Kafui Yao – GIFEC Focal Person, IFAP Secretariat
- Thomasina Agyekum – IFAP Secretariat
- Jacqueline Kudivo – IFAP Secretariat
Collaboration and Partnerships
The Ghana National IFAP Committee recognises the importance of collaboration in advancing inclusive access to information and knowledge. It encourages cooperation among government institutions, regulatory bodies, educational and research institutions, libraries, archives, civil society organisations, the private sector and development partners.
Through the Ghana Commission for UNESCO and its institutional partners, the Committee provides a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and cooperation in support of the objectives of UNESCO’s Information for All Programme.
Looking Ahead
The Ghana National IFAP Committee remains committed to promoting equitable access to information and knowledge, strengthening information literacy, encouraging the responsible use of information and communication technologies, and supporting the development of inclusive and sustainable knowledge societies.
Through multi-stakeholder collaboration and engagement with UNESCO’s global IFAP network, the Committee seeks to contribute to an information environment in which individuals and communities can access, use and benefit from information and knowledge.
