CAMTEL GM elected chair of Africa’s satellite organisation.

The strategic gathering held in Yaounde, brought together member states and key strategic partners of the continental body. Delegates at the meeting came from across Africa.

While Judith Yah Sunday who chaired the gathering was elected Board Chair, Siaka Coulibaly picked the role of Assistant Board Chair.

Described as a diplomatic victory for Cameroon, her election came as no surprise due to her massive contribution to the growth of the telecommunications sector in Africa and beyond.

Speaking shortly after her election, Judith Yah Sunday, first thanked her peers for the confidence bestowed on her. 

In her acceptance speech at the close of the 74th Session of the Board of Directors of the Regional African Satellite Communications Organisation, RASCOM, the CAMTEL boss pledged to foster development of telecommunications in Africa.

“I am particularly honoured to have been elected Chairperson of the Council, and I would like to congratulate Mr SIAKA Coulibaly, representative of Mali, on his election as Vice-Chairman,” she said.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to warmly thank the Government of Cameroon, and more particularly the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, for the warm welcome and all the facilities made available to us on the occasion of this meeting,” she added, stating that: “I would also like to thank the staff of RASCOM and CAMTEL for their dedication and professionalism, which have greatly contributed to the success of this session”.

Speaking further, the CAMTEL supremo told her peers that she was resolutely committed, alongside the Vice-President and the Managing Director, to working for RASCOM's influence and the success of its missions.

“We have already begun discussions on the organisation of the 75th Session of the Board of Directors and the Assembly of Parties, the dates and venue of which are yet to be confirmed,” she told attendees.

She then noted that: “I remain convinced that, thanks to the synergy of our efforts and our collective commitment, RASCOM will continue to play a leading role in the development of telecommunications in Africa”.

“On a purely personal note, I would like to say how proud I am to be the very first woman to be elected Chairperson of RASCOM's Board of Directors. It's a great responsibility that I take on with humility and determination, and I'm convinced that together, we can achieve great things,” she continued.

“I would also like to thank all the RASCOM member countries who supported Cameroon's candidacy for the presidency of the organisation's Board of Directors” Judith Yah Sunday added.

Gratitude to Cameroon, CAMTEL

Meanwhile, in a vote of thanks read out at the close of the Yaounde gathering Friday May 24, members of the Board of Directors had kind words for host nation, Cameroon and CAMTEL. 

The representative of the members who spoke Friday said: “On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of RASCOM, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Camtel for graciously hosting the 74th Board of Directors meeting in Cameroon”.

They said the dedication and efforts of the entire CAMTEL team, under the leadership of General Manager, Judith Yah Sunday Achidi, have been instrumental in ensuring the success of this meeting.

“Madam Achidi, your recent election as the new Chairman of the RASCOM Board of Directors is a testament to your exemplary leadership and commitment. We are confident that under your guidance, RASCOM will continue to achieve great milestones,” the members continued.

“We are deeply appreciative of the excellent logistics and support provided by CAMTEL, which ensured a seamless and productive meeting. Your hospitality and meticulous planning allowed us to focus on our discussions and objectives, and for that, we are sincerely thankful,” they added.

The Regional African Satellite Communication Organisation, RASCOM, it should be said, is a Pan-African Satellite Communication Organisation, created from the will of African Governments and States, and set up in order to bridge the digital divide between the continent and the rest of the world using satellite telecommunications.

To overcome the challenges of the digital divide and the opening up of rural areas in Africa, the member States of the Oganisation of African Union (currently African Union) agreed to establish a satellite telecommunications system as part of an enhanced telecommunications network for Africa, intended to provide expanded telecommunications and broadcasting services to all African countries to help bridge the digital divide with the rest of the world.