The Vice president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was able to explain the role that digitalisation plays in building the nation very well when he delivered his address on Wednesday, February 7, a Professor at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo, has said.
Prof Gyampo said he was able to appreciate how digitalization contributes to the nation’s effort in inching toward the development from Dr Bawumia’s presentation.
Reacting to Dr Bawumia’s address while speaking on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 Thursday February 8, he said “I want us to take a balanced view of the address presented by Dr Bawumia. In doing so the first thing I want to say is that what he did essentially was an articulation of his achievements and visions fundamentally in the broader area of digitalization.
“Honestly speaking, the various manifestations from digitalization and how this overarching policy plays out in terms of efforts of development is quite huge and tremendous because digitalization, if it is properly implemented, would contribute to the nation’s development. And so we can understand why the whole of digitalization was interwoven as a central theme in his presentation. I am saying so because the various manifestations of this overarching policy and what it can do in promoting development in my view is enormous.
“If you look at all the things that he said digitalization was an overarching theme that was intermoving into virtually all the things that he was saying. He was able to articulate the manifestation of digitalization in a manner that, for me, made me feel and appreciate how digitalization can contribute to the nation’s effort in inching toward development. I do not think that there is anybody in Ghana here who can say he does not appreciate the impact or the manifestation of digitisation in our forward march or in our efforts to fight the quagmire of poverty or underdevelopment.”
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stated among other things in his address that he wants to build a Ghana where they can leverage technology, data, and systems for inclusive economic growth.
“I want us to apply digital technology, STEM, robotics and artificial intelligence for the transformation of agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, fintech and public service delivery. As part of this process it is my goal to eliminate the digital divide by achieving close to 100% internet penetration. We have already made very significant progress in this direction by increasing internet penetration from 34% in 2016 to 72% in 2023 (by more than double!!!). The task in the next four years is to move from 72% to close to 100%! It is possible!
“I want to see Ghana build the digital talent we require for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This will mean providing digital and software skills to hundreds of thousands of youth.
“This along with other policies, will create jobs for the youth, including school dropouts. In collaboration with the private sector, we will train at least 1,000,000 youth in IT skills,
including software developers to provide job opportunities worldwide.
“Generally, there will be an enhanced focus on TVET education. My government will also support the establishment of a National Open University Ghana in collaboration with the private sector with a focus on Technical and vocational skills and ICT.”