DR. EKWOW SPIO-GARBRAH (2003–2011)
The Development Advocate
A former Diplomat and Minister of Communication from Ghana, with prior experience working with the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah brought a distinct business, commercial and developmental perspective to the CTO. He was one of the first leaders to argue that ICT was not merely a technical sector but a critical driver of socio- economic growth and development
Under his leadership, the CTO gained greater visibility internationally as an advocate for using ICTs to drive socio- economic development through the corporate sector. He championed the roles of business and technology in e-governance, e-education,e-health, e-commerce and rural development.He had little choice in this commercial approach, as the CTO’s primary UK sources of funding were withdrawn soon after his appointment. These included some £2 million annually from DFID, £1 million annually from British Telecom and £500,000 annually from Cable & Wireless. Despite the withdrawal of these substantial sources of funding, Dr. Spio-Garbrah persevered, leading efforts to reposition the organisation, strengthen and widen its programmes and diversify to alternative sources of revenue and institutional support. Through these methods, the CTO succeeded in organising up to 10 major commercial events annually, creating platforms for policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, partnerships and revenue generation. During his tenure, he also oversaw the acquisition of the CTO's first self-owned Headquarters building in more than 100 years, its current Headquarters in Hammersmith, London, strengthening the organisation's institutional asset base. Dr Spio- Garbrah’s tenure helped reposition the CTO from a primarily research-oriented technical body into a strategic business and commercial partner, supporting inclusive growth, digital transformation and sustainable development throughout the Commonwealth 19
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