The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation has officially launched the Ghana Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, a landmark initiative aimed at solidifying the country’s digital transformation and establishing its leadership in Africa’s digital future.
The policy sets ambitious goals, including increasing the digital economy’s contribution to Ghana’s GDP from 4.4% in 2020 to 5.3% by 2025.
It will focus on five critical areas: Universal Access and Connectivity, Digital Government, Digital Skills and Research, Digital Entrepreneurship, and Data and Emerging Technologies.
Launching the strategy at the Ministry of Information in Accra yesterday, Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful emphasized its transformative potential, highlighting opportunities in job creation, entrepreneurship, and public service efficiency.
“Through the application of digital technologies, we are confident of seeing significant progress in these areas, ensuring the digital economy contributes meaningfully to GDP growth,” she said.
The Minister also acknowledged the need for adaptive and collaborative regulation, stating that governance should focus on outcomes rather than methods to foster innovation while safeguarding against risks like fraud and misinformation.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful described the policy which focuses on digital entrepreneurship as a transformative moment in the nation’s push towards a technologically inclusive future.
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution presents both opportunities and challenges. This strategy ensures we harness technology to create sustainable jobs and improve service delivery”, she said.
The communications minister emphasized that Ghana’s digital agenda aims to ensure equal access to broadband internet connectivity throughout the country.
“The Government has implemented policies to ensure every communications user has equal access to public and private digital services, regardless of their service provider”, she added.
She mentioned that the implementation of the Ghana.gov portal, which integrates public services, and the Citizens App, allowing access via smartphones, are designed to enhance efficiency and transparency.
“These tools demonstrate how digitalisation can improve lives and build trust in governance”, the Minister noted.
She mentioned that digital technologies come with their own attendant challenges, such as mobile fraud, abuse, attacks, misinformation, among others.
“To combat these, the policy includes plans for public awareness campaigns using local dialects. Being aware is being empowered”, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful stated.
Key achievements and future plans
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful highlighted milestones such as the 3,500 kilometers of fiber optic cables laid in 2023, connecting 951 public institutions via a high-speed eGovernment network.
These developments, she noted, are key to bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to resources.
To further enhance access, the Ghana.gov portal and Citizens App have been launched, offering streamlined public services and fostering transparency.
The Minister also revealed plans for public awareness campaigns in local dialects to address challenges like mobile fraud and misinformation, underlining the importance of digital literacy.
Collaboration and investment
The policy’s success, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful stressed, requires cross-sector collaboration and increased private-sector and donor investment.
This funding will bridge connectivity gaps and expand access to underserved and unserved communities.
Support from organizations such as the World Bank and the Tony Blair Institute has been instrumental in shaping the policy.
Vision for the future
By aligning digital initiatives with job creation and GDP growth, the policy aims to position Ghana as a leader in Africa’s digital age.
“This roadmap ensures a prosperous digital future for all Ghanaians,” the Minister concluded.
The Ghana Digital Economy Policy and Strategy underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging technology as a driver of inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and national development.