Tua'imáló Asamu Ah Sam was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in April 2003. He was previously the Director of Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), which was the former name of the Ministry prior to the realignment of the Government departments. The name change of the Ministry and reappointment of Mr Ah Sam in 2003 was inevitable, given the merge of the Savali (Government newspaper) and broadcasting policy functions with the MPT.

In his current capacity as Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ah Sam is responsible to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology for the following functions:

• Review and update Communications Sector Policy;
• Development and review of a National Broadcasting Policy;
• Monitor the implementation of Government policy in the Sector;
• Monitor the provision of postal, telecommunications, broadcasting and ICT services;
• Provision of advice with regards the grant and operation of licences of postal, telecommunications and broadcasting services;
• Assisting the development of human resources capacity in the communications sector;
• Fostering positive relations with international bodies of which Samoa is a member, such as International Telecommunications Union, Universal Postal Union, Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, Pacific Island Telecommunications Union and other relevant donor organisations;

Further to the above responsibilities, the CEO chairs one steering committee;

• The Telecommunications and Postal Sector Reform Project (World Bank) - this project's life span is 5 years and aims at reforming the postal and telecommunications sector through introducing significant changes in the policy, legal and regulatory frameworks as well as opening up competition in the provision of digital cellular mobile services.

Tua'imalo is a member of the National ICT Committee, appointed by cabinet in 2002 to develop a National ICT Policy.

The Government of Samoa is contributing to the development and disseminating ICT throughout Samoa, moving Samoa towards the knowledge economy and the information society. As such, Government established the ICT Steering Committee to develop policies and strategies for the effective management of:

•  Awareness programmes for all sectors and all Samoan people
•  developing and retaining a knowledgeable workforce with ICT skills
•  a sustainable rural connectivity
•  ICT networks and infrastructure in Governments, private sector and civil society
•  Multisector Partnership approach between Government, the private sector and community based organisations
•  cooperation with regional and international organisations
•  ICT programmes in Education, Health and all sectors
•  a Universal Access to ICT
•  an improved and efficient Public Service
•  development of applications and content
•  security and societal Impact of ICT
• research to ensure findings are linked to policy making

PRINCIPLES AND VALUES:

The Samoa ICT Steering Committee is committed to:

• Fairness: acting with impartiality and integrity at all times
• Innovation and Business Performance Excellence: demonstrating an innovative and business-like approach
• Responsiveness: enabling and ensuring individuals take personal responsibility for their actions
• Safety and Security: having safe and secured ICT environments for the public and private sector, for NGOs, people with disability, Women and Civil Society
• Teamwork: being responsive to others and enhancing relationships nationally, regionally and internationally, to maximise effectiveness in disseminating and developing ICT.

In respect of Samoan people, the Government of Samoa is also committed to:

• Samoan values: The Government will incorporate Samoan values i.e. it will utilise the strong supporting mechanisms within the Samoan communities (e.g. family, the church, youth groups, women, communities and local agencies of the international organisations) and develop an inclusive supportive family/community based approach to ensure that ICT compliments the Samoan values.
• Relationships: The Government will work in collaboration with Government Department/Ministries, private sector, international agencies, NGOs, and Civil Society to increase awareness and understanding of ICT, and work to develop and maintain an effective working relationship among all sectors.
• Diversity: The Government acknowledges the diversity of sectors and groups in Samoa and distinct business cultures that should be respected. Each of these groups face different issues and have different needs and as such the Government will continue to identify those groups that will need a representation in the Samoa ICT steering committee.
• Consultation: The Government recognises that consultation with all sectors is crucial for obtaining information for the development of ICT strategies and policies for Samoa. The consultation will be extensive and the views and feedback from these consultations will be utilised in all future ICT policy work that impacts on the lives of the Samoan people. Consultation will also be used to review this document starting with a consultation with Decision Makers, at the highest level from all sectors.

The Policy and Research Division's core function is to review and recommend legislation amendments and to develop the Government's policy for the Communication Sector.

Policy and Research Division includes the transparent process of:

• Reviewing
• Consulting
• Researching
• Collating and analyzing policy issues to provide advice in the Communication Sector (including telecommunications; postal; broadcasting and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
• Writing policy advice and Government Policy Statements on, new and/or existing Government policies, new and/or existing legislation(s) in the Communication Sector.

The division publically promotes awareness of these new policies and legislations through press releases and workshops held throughout the country to ensure all people living in Samoa are aware and up-to-date with communications developments in Samoa. The division also represents Samoa in International conferences on communications each year.

To read our policies, legislation relating to communications and reports, please look at the publications section of our site.

Spectrum Management, Licensing and Monitoring Unit has now has  been established as Office of the Regulator, independent from MCIT. Please access their website for further information and regulatory services www.regulator.gov.ws.

Consultations and Policy Awareness raising is conducted through workshops throughout Samoa, including Apia and rural areas. In 2008 universal Access awareness raising was a key topic.