World-class digital economy our goal

– Declares Dr Bawumia

IN a landmark address at the launch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) manifesto for the 2024 general elections, Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is also the party’s flagbearer, detailed an ambitious plan to leverage technology for economic transformation and job creation.

 The event, held in Takoradi and themed “Selfless Leadership, Bold Solution for Jobs and Business,” highlighted Dr. Bawumia’s commitment to building a world-class digital economy in Ghana.

Dr. Bawumia’s vision centers on harnessing digital technology, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), robotics, and artificial intelligence to drive progress across various sectors. He underscored the importance of these technologies in transforming agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, fintech, and public service delivery, aiming to foster inclusive economic growth.

A key component of Dr. Bawumia’s strategy is to address the digital divide by significantly increasing internet penetration. “We have made remarkable progress, raising internet penetration from 34 percent in 2016 to about 70 percent in 2023. Our target for the next four years is to exceed 90 percent, aligning Ghana with the advanced countries,” he stated. This ambitious goal reflects a broader commitment to integrating technology into everyday life and ensuring that digital resources are accessible to all Ghanaians.

Dr. Bawumia also emphasized the importance of preparing the workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “We will focus on building digital and software skills among hundreds of thousands of youths, including school dropouts. This, alongside other initiatives, will create job opportunities and equip our young people with the skills needed for the new technological era,” he said.

To support this vision, Dr. Bawumia proposed significant changes in education and funding. He plans to enhance the education system’s focus on STEM, robotics, and vocational training to better prepare students for the evolving job market.

Additionally, he announced the establishment of a Fintech Fund with an initial seed capital of $100 million to attract private sector investment and support Ghanaian startups developing innovative financial solutions.

Addressing the telecom sector, Dr. Bawumia called for increased investment to make data more affordable. “The high cost of data contradicts our digitalization goals. We will work closely with industry stakeholders to remove investment uncertainties and expedite spectrum allocation to promote digital inclusion,” he noted.

Furthermore, Dr. Bawumia revealed plans to appoint a Digital Ambassador tasked with expanding external markets for Ghanaian digital talents and products, facilitating their export, and promoting Ghana as a digital hub in Africa. This role is intended to drive innovation and position Ghana as a leader in the digital economy. The manifesto launch represents a pivotal moment in the NPP’s campaign, with Dr. Bawumia’s digital economy agenda promising to drive technological advancement, create jobs, and establish Ghana as a major player in the digital world. His proposals aim to not only address current economic challenges but also prepare Ghana for future growth in the digital era.