CHAPTER 2 PREAMBLE In 1978, a Legislative Act was passed which renamed the Ministry of Postal Affairs as the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MoPT) with a mandate for the following: 1. To provide postal services throughout the country and beyond; 2. To serve as well as subscribers of all communication facilities in Liberia; 3. To provide administrative policy as well as guidelines for postal services and Telecommunications; 4. To serve as the bridge between the Liberian Government and the International Community in the areas of Postal and Telecommunications Services. The passage of the Telecommunications Act of 2007 provided the Ministry with a mandate to produce a National Telecommunications and ICT Policy outlining Liberia’s vision to utilize ICT for overall institutional economic growth and development of the sector. This policy was the National ICT and Telecoms policy of 2010 adopted by Cabinet. This policy embellishes the Telecommunications Act of 2007 which devolved the regulatory functions to the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA). It also resulted in the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTELCO) being the designated National Operator to provide telecommunications services such as data and video communications, as well as high-speed broadband networks services, including e-services with several outlined objectives to support the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). In order to ensure the rapid development of Liberia’s economy, the Government of Liberia (GoL) has recognized the ICT sector as an enabler of social and economic development, prompting the need to update the 2010 policy to make it relevant to the current exigencies of the state, and in support of the ICT objectives of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) 2018-2023. In this respect, the 2019-2024 ICT Policy updates the 2010 policy and draws on emerging trends in the ICT sector, particularly the rise of convergence technology, digital broadcasting, Eservices, new technologies and provision of universal access to boost social inclusion. The new ICT policy draws on international best practices in supporting ICT-led development and matches the objectives and vision of the GoL to Structure, Empower and Transform (SET) Liberia into a knowledge-based economy as part of its goal to become a middle-income country by 2030. The drafting of this ICT Policy has incorporated the inputs and feedbacks of many stakeholders consulted in regional and national meetings, and in the public consultations held in Monrovia, Buchanan, Gbarnga, Tubmanburg and Zwedru 12