Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
The election of CAMTEL’s GM as President of the Board of Directors of RASCOM was done during the 74th board meeting that took place in Yaoundé from May 22 to 24, 2024.
“CAMTEL’s GM was elected by acclamation from all RASCOM members present at the meeting,” says Bini Kouame, out going president of the board.
Judith Yah Sunday, is taking control of the board at a very crucial moment when the activities of RASCOM have been dormant for over 8 years and were only relaunched 2 years back. The mandate given to the new board president is thus to reposition the regional satellite organization and give it the grandeur it deserves.
“We are convinced that with the GM of CAMTEL at the head of the Board of Directors and the new General Manager of RASCOM, the future will be brighter,” Bini Kouame told reporters at the end of the meeting.
Speaking to the press after her election, Judith Yah Sunday, thanked the government of Cameroon for supporting her candidature adding that “its an honour an a previlege for us to serve this African Institution”.
“We are convinced that with the new spirit and dynamism, together we shall take the necessary measures to make sure that RASCOM stands strong in the sector of satellite communication in Africa,” Judith Yah Sunday said.
Way forward
The newly elected Vice President of the Board of Directors of RASCOM, Siaka Coulibaly from Mali, at the end of the meeting said “those who thought RASCOM had disappeared, we are telling them that RASCOM is back and for good”.
After taking stock of what Africa possesses in terms of satellite connectivity, what is needed to be done, and how to position RASCOM for the benefit of all, participants at the 74th session identified a series of activities to be implemented in the near future.
“We shall call for an assembly of parties, which is a meeting of Teleommunications Ministers in Africa by the fourth quarter of 2024. Focus will be to discuss future plans for the organization,” says Timothy Ashong, General Manager of RASCOM.
The last time such a meeting was called dates far back as 8 years, though the texts of the organization provides for its holding after every 2 years.
In the first querter of 2025, RASCOM intends to organize an “African Satellite Communication Conference” which will bring all satellite providers together to equally map the way forward.
“We need to use our African satellite communication services to be able to champion the Satellite Communication solutions we need to provide for Africa and Africans,” Timothy ASHONG said.
Before seperating at the end of the meeting, the participants issued a vote of thanks extending gratitude to CAMTEL for hosting the 74th Board of Directors meeting in Cameroon. They also thanked Judith Yah Sunday, who was very instrumental in ensuring the success of the meeting.
Worth noting is the fact that preparations for the 75th Board of Directors meeting have been launched but the host and date will be communicated subsequently.
