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Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, an accomplished electronic communications engineer and respected regulatory professional, has been named Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), effective Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
He succeeds Dr. Joe Anokye, who recently stepped down following a change in government.
With over 20 years of experience in telecom and broadcasting regulation, spectrum management, policy formulation, and ICT industry leadership, Rev. Fianko brings a wealth of expertise to his new role.
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In 2022, he was elected to the Radio Regulations Board (RRB) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to serve a four-year term (2023–2026), underscoring his reputation as a global authority in radiocommunications.
Rev. Fianko has been a part of the NCA since 2004, starting as a frequency management officer after completing his national service.
He rose steadily through the ranks, becoming Acting Head of the Engineering Division in June 2021 and later Director of Engineering in January 2024.
In his prior roles, he led teams to manage, license, and monitor radio frequency spectrum for telecommunications and broadcasting services in Ghana.
Rev. Fianko has played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s telecom regulatory landscape. His contributions include:
- Digital Broadcasting Transition: Serving as Secretary to the Digital Broadcasting Migration Committee (DBMC) from 2010 to 2016, he coordinated Ghana’s transition from analogue to digital broadcasting and developed DTT receiver specifications adopted by ECOWAS in 2013.
- Spectrum Licensing: He oversaw key licensing processes, including Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) licenses and 800 MHz spectrum licenses, which have significantly impacted telecom development in Ghana.
- International Representation: He has chaired the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Task Group on rural connectivity spectrum recommendations and advised ECOWAS, Benin, and The Gambia on broadcasting and LTE licensing.
Rev. Fianko’s leadership extends to various global forums, where he has been a speaker and facilitator for organisations like the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and the African Communications Regulators Network (ACRAN).
Rev. Fianko holds an electrical/electronic engineering degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), a master’s in communications management from Buckinghamshire New University, England, and an MPhil in Applied Business Leadership and Management from UCAM, Spain.
He is a member of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Beyond his technical and regulatory accomplishments, Rev. Fianko is a minister of the Methodist Church Ghana and a published author.
He also leads Nkwa.Life, an evangelistic outreach ministry, showcasing his dedication to spiritual and community development.
His appointment signals a new chapter for the NCA, as he brings a blend of technical expertise, regulatory experience, and visionary leadership to drive Ghana’s telecom sector forward.
