Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
In a significant stride towards harnessing the full potential of technology for national development, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia recently spearheaded a pivotal meeting with a diverse assembly of IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders.
The assembly, comprising approximately 100 members from Ghana’s vibrant technology and digital sectors, convened on Friday, September 15, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s quest for digital transformation.
Dr. Bawumia provided a comprehensive overview of the current status of Ghana’s digital and technological advancements. This encompassed various critical areas, including e-governance, digital financial services, digital infrastructure, the Ghana Card, digital addressing systems, mobile money interoperability, Ghana.gov, the citizen app, and numerous other technology-driven initiatives that the government has collaboratively undertaken with the private sector.
Beyond reviewing the current landscape, this gathering served as a fertile platform for brainstorming and dialogue. It enabled the IT community to proffer insights, innovations, and potential solutions to advance Ghana’s digital agenda.
The need for the government to adopt an integrated data platform mindset emerged as a consensus. Such an approach promises to reduce costs, accelerate development, and facilitate seamless system integrations. Participants emphasised the importance of a policy framework that positions data and artificial intelligence as core drivers of economic growth in Ghana.
The meeting highlighted the necessity for a robust legal framework accessible to businesses and digital entrepreneurs. Additionally, the call for specialised education in technology law and intellectual property was noted as was the proposal for banks to establish technology development funds to assist companies in scaling their products and innovations.
The potential for collaboration with neighbouring countries or across the African continent to foster a unified market for technology products was also discussed. This approach is seen as essential due to the size constraints of the Ghanaian market.
The meeting underscored the need to address challenges within the current procurement framework for acquiring technology services for the government. There was an emphasis on bolstering technology change management programmes and empowering corresponding agencies to ensure a secure and interoperable Ghanaian technology ecosystem.
The proposal of an impartial, apolitical, transparent national technology roadmap to guide the technology sector in solution implementation was a significant highlight. The establishment of a programme to promote digital literacy, educate the public on digital government engagement, and clarify fundamental technology concepts was seen as crucial for inclusivity.
This, the IT community expressed gratitude for the open dialogue with Vice President Bawumia and expressed strong interest in future engagements. This proactive approach by government underscores the nation’s commitment to leveraging technology’s potential for national development.
The partnership between the government and the IT community is poised to be the key to a more inclusive and digitally advanced Ghana, promising exciting possibilities on the horizon.