American astronaut, Neil Armstrong, upon stepping on the moon, famously spoke of that first step as “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Unlike Armstrong, Joseph Anokye has not landed on the moon, but the small, determined step that eventually led to him becoming the Director General of Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has become a giant leap for Ghana’s communications industry.
While still a youth in Ghana, Joseph Anokye attended the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, gaining a Bachelor’s degree in Geodetic Engineering. His desire to grow his knowledge led him to also attain a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland University College, and a Certificate for Senior Executives in National and International Security from Harvard Kennedy School, Executive Education, both in the USA.
Career and Achievements
Armed with knowledge from these prestigious institutions, and determined to leave his mark on the world, Joseph Anokye took his first of many major career steps in 1994, serving as a Sr. Network Engineer at the United States Postal Service (USPS). Tasked with leading a team of engineers Joseph proved himself a natural leader, successfully leading his team to maintain the USPS Wide Area Network.
Joseph Anokye’s next steps took him to NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre (GSFC), in 1997, where he worked till 2011. At NASA, he supported an impressive forty-nine Space Shuttle Missions. Managing the NASA (Ground) Communications System (NASCOM), Joe oversaw terrestrial communications globally. His work saw him collaborate with international space programs, including the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), German Space Operations Centre (GSOC), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Mr. Anokye’s exceptional contributions did not go unnoticed. In 2007, he received the prestigious Employee of the Year award from the NASA Information Technology Services (UNITeS) contract at the Marshal Space Flight Centre (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama. His small steps had begun growing into giant ones.
Joseph Anokye also garnered experience as a Cisco Technical Instructor, serving from 1999 to 2016 in the Washington D.C., USA Metropolitan Area. His role involved mentoring and teaching a generation of telecommunications, network, and systems engineers. As proof of his good handiwork, many of his mentees have become significant figures in various sectors, including government agencies, telecommunications companies, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies.
Having travelled the world and acquired much knowledge and experience, Joseph Anokye returned to Ghana in 2016, intent on putting his skills to the development of his motherland. Appointed Director General of the National Communications Authority in 2017, he set to work on transforming the state of the NCA into an effective regulatory body.
Under his leadership, the NCA has launched multiple campaigns aimed at protecting Ghana’s airwaves, educating the public on the importance of digitisation, mentoring students, encouraging girls to immerse themselves in the ICT sector, and also collaborating with the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation to launch a trial phase Digital Audio Broadcasting service, making Ghana the first West African country to do so.
Conclusion
Mr. Joe Anokye’s journey is characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, spanning continents and industries. His impact on the telecommunications landscape, coupled with his commitment to education and mentorship, solidifies his legacy as a visionary leader in the field of technology.
With over twenty-nine years of hands-on experience, Joseph Anokye stands as a luminary figure in the realm of Telecommunication Operations Management, Cyber Security, and National Security. His illustrious career spans both public and private sectors, showcasing a remarkable proficiency in directing and managing critical information technology and telecommunications operations.
By: Derrick Kafui Deti – Digital Economy Magazine
Do you have a story that you think would interest our readers? Write to us info@instinctwave.net/ copata@instinctwave.com or WhatsApp +233 594860226
