GhNICGhNIC.gh ccTLD organization.gh ccTLD organization

byby

Eric AkumiahEric Akumiah

Eric.akumiah@gmail.comEric.akumiah@gmail.com

AgendaAgenda

Background Background Registry Model & StructureRegistry Model & Structure OperationOperation Challenges & FutureChallenges & Future

Background Background

NCS has operated .gh Registry since1996NCS has operated .gh Registry since1996 NCS has since been Sponsoring NCS has since been Sponsoring

Organization for .gh namespaceOrganization for .gh namespace 1n 2001, ghNIC was incorporated Non-1n 2001, ghNIC was incorporated Non-

Profit Policy CorporationProfit Policy Corporation Administrative Administrative Technical Management Responsibility re-Technical Management Responsibility re-

assigned to NCSassigned to NCS

BackgroundBackground

In November 2003 NCS shutdown over In November 2003 NCS shutdown over litigation on propertylitigation on property

Leading Engineer at Internet Engineering Leading Engineer at Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) provided support to Task Force (IETF) provided support to ensure continuous operationensure continuous operation No break experienced during the periodNo break experienced during the period

NCS acknowledges IETF for supportNCS acknowledges IETF for support

Domain Name StructureDomain Name Structure

Until 2003, registry was run with both flat and Until 2003, registry was run with both flat and hierarchical domain name structurehierarchical domain name structure

Hierarchical Hierarchical structure adoptedstructure adopted Second Level Domain (SLD) registration policy Second Level Domain (SLD) registration policy

developeddeveloped– – Done in June 2003Done in June 2003– – Domain registration directly under .gh was suspendedDomain registration directly under .gh was suspended– – No renewal for already registered SLDs (directly No renewal for already registered SLDs (directly

under .gh) after expiry.under .gh) after expiry. Domains are registered on Third Level (xxx.com.gh, Domains are registered on Third Level (xxx.com.gh,

xxx.edu.gh,xxx.net.gh, xxx.org.gh,xxx.mil.gh)xxx.edu.gh,xxx.net.gh, xxx.org.gh,xxx.mil.gh)

Registry ModelRegistry Model

In same year, In same year, shared registry system shared registry system (SRS) was adopted(SRS) was adopted

Thick Thick registry system was proposed for registry system was proposed for the three-year transition period.the three-year transition period. Data to be stored and maintained centrally Data to be stored and maintained centrally

rather than by the individual registrarsrather than by the individual registrars Original plan was to use EPP registry Original plan was to use EPP registry

software by ISC to implement SRS but software by ISC to implement SRS but that has not materialized yetthat has not materialized yet

Registry StructureRegistry Structure

ghNIC - BoardghNIC - Board

Board is overall decision making bodyBoard is overall decision making body 2 Executive Directors (non-voting)2 Executive Directors (non-voting) 7 Non-executive directors7 Non-executive directors

Board to approve all PoliciesBoard to approve all Policies Board ensures smooth running of Board ensures smooth running of

RegistryRegistry Executive Directors report to Board on Executive Directors report to Board on

day-to-day activities of registryday-to-day activities of registry

BoardBoard

Chair – Nii Quaynor - PrivateChair – Nii Quaynor - Private Vice Chair – Prof. Dzidonu – AcademiaVice Chair – Prof. Dzidonu – Academia Member – Dep. Dir, Min. of Communication – Member – Dep. Dir, Min. of Communication –

Gov.Gov. Member – Member of Ghana Bar AssociationMember – Member of Ghana Bar Association Member – ISODEC Ghana – Civil SocietyMember – ISODEC Ghana – Civil Society Member – CTO, Ghana TelecomMember – CTO, Ghana Telecom Member – Member of GISPAMember – Member of GISPA

Policy Advisory CommitteePolicy Advisory Committee

Develops policy for registryDevelops policy for registry Receive inputs from secretariat, public for Receive inputs from secretariat, public for

policy developmentpolicy development Sits three time in a year but uses mailing Sits three time in a year but uses mailing

listlist Send draft document to Board for approvalSend draft document to Board for approval Reps from ISOC to chair, other reps Reps from ISOC to chair, other reps

fromRegistrants, GISPA, other stake fromRegistrants, GISPA, other stake holdersholders

MembershipMembership

Two categories of membershipTwo categories of membership Registrars: Extraordinary membersRegistrars: Extraordinary members Registrant: ordinary membersRegistrant: ordinary members

All members can vote at AGMAll members can vote at AGM Ordinary members have one voteOrdinary members have one vote Extraordinary members have 3 votesExtraordinary members have 3 votes

SecretariatSecretariat

Secretariat runs day-to-day activities of Secretariat runs day-to-day activities of RegistryRegistry

Headed by Executive DirectorHeaded by Executive Director Deputy Executive Director is Director for Deputy Executive Director is Director for

Technical ServicesTechnical Services

OperationsOperations

Three Operational Departments:Three Operational Departments: Legal: Handle legal issues Legal: Handle legal issues Admin & Finance: general administration and Admin & Finance: general administration and

financefinance Technical : handle all technical issueTechnical : handle all technical issue

Policy FrameworkPolicy Framework

Registry activity to be run by procedures, Registry activity to be run by procedures, processes and policiesprocesses and policies

General procedures, policies & processes General procedures, policies & processes on:on: Domain RegistrationDomain Registration Registrar CertificationRegistrar Certification Domain Name Dispute ResolutionDomain Name Dispute Resolution

GhNIC bye laws established structure and GhNIC bye laws established structure and operational activities of the Registryoperational activities of the Registry

Dispute Resolution - Proposal

In conformity to UDRP Initial informal mediation to be made If informal mediation fails, registry will notify DR

Service provider to begin formal arbitration Complainant to notify DR Service provider and

pay arbitration fee Domain in dispute to remain registered to

respondent until decision overturns that WIPO to be appointed as DR Service provider

Local Internet Community

The users of the ccTLD The local government or public authority ISPs and technical community Educational and non-commercial sectors Businesses Cultural and other non-commercial

interests

ChallengesChallenges

Implementation of Online domain Implementation of Online domain registrationregistration

Whois service critical path for Whois service critical path for implementation – still not readyimplementation – still not ready

Marketing .gh Challenges aheadMarketing .gh Challenges ahead Need for Capacity building Need for Capacity building

Future Operation & Capacity Future Operation & Capacity BuildingBuilding

Plans to develop national technical Plans to develop national technical capacity for ccTLD managementcapacity for ccTLD management

Plans to organize ccTLD training for Plans to organize ccTLD training for Prospective registrars and SLD registry Prospective registrars and SLD registry operatorsoperators

• • NCS to hand over SLD registry operations NCS to hand over SLD registry operations after transition period (2008 – 2011)after transition period (2008 – 2011)

Thank YouThank You