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The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called on start-ups, private sector players and Ghanaians in diaspora to scale up investments in the country’s digital space.
That, she said, was because with the nation’s stable democracy and dynamic economy, the sector served as the bedrock of the country’s ambition to become Africa’s leading digital trade hub.
She made the call last Monday, at the opening of the National ICT Week Celebration in Accra.
“Ghana is ready. We have a stable democracy, a dynamic economy, bold initiatives, and modern infrastructure in motion.
Yet, the real measure of success will be determined by what we accomplish together,” a speech read on her behalf by the Policy Advisor for Political Affairs at the Office of the Vice-President, Ofosu Ampofo, said.
The four-day programme brought together policymakers, industry leaders, innovators and researchers to deliberate on opportunities on the theme: “Ghana as Africa’s Digital Trade Hub: Innovation, Policy, and Partnerships for the Future”.
The Vice-President reiterated the government’s commitment to building a future where innovation, policy and partnerships converge to transform lives and businesses.
She mentioned flagship initiatives, such as the 24-Hour Economy Policy and the One Million Coders Project, designed to boost productivity and equip the youth with relevant digital skills, particularly in software engineering and coding, to make them globally competitive.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further emphasised that the expansion of broadband and the national fibre-optic backbone was bridging the digital divide between rural and urban areas, while platforms such as Ghana.Gov had improved revenue mobilisation, cut bureaucracy and enhanced transparency.
Highlighting the country’s unique position as the only African country with a fully interoperable instant payment system, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the country was already setting the pace in mobile money usage, e-commerce and financial inclusion.
“Government cannot act alone. We need the active involvement of entrepreneurs, start-ups, private sector players, international investors, development partners and the diaspora, while our universities and training institutions must drive research, innovation and practical skills for market-ready products,” she said.
The Deputy Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, on behalf of the minister, Samuel Nartey George, outlined the country’s roadmap to becoming Africa’s digital trade hub.
He stressed innovation through initiatives such as the One Million Coders Programme, Ghana Tech Lab and STEM promotion; new legislation, including the Innovations and Start-up Bill and reforms to strengthen NITA as a digital regulator.
He announced the unveiling of a Certifying Authority to drive Public Key Infrastructure integration, emphasised digital trust, and called for stronger partnerships to expand infrastructure, skills and AfCFTA-driven opportunities.
“Looking ahead, the ministry’s priorities are clear - modernising regulation to support innovation, expanding infrastructure while reducing data costs, attracting investment in emerging technologies, ensuring inclusivity, strengthening digital skills, deepening AfCFTA integration, and building digital trust,” he said.
The NITA Director-General, Mark-Oliver Kevor, said the four-day celebration would provide a platform for dialogue, collaboration and action to position the country as Africa’s digital trade hub.
He outlined activities, including the unveiling of the Digital Trust Framework, the Africa PKI Consortium, and the launch of an E-Commerce Guidebook.
Mr Kevor enumerated NITA’s role in standardising ICT infrastructure, rolling out the National Data Exchange Platform, operationalising the Digital Trust Framework, and strengthening ICT regulations.
He also emphasised partnerships, capacity building, and innovation hubs as central to advancing a secure, inclusive and globally competitive digital ecosystem.
