With the increasing global shift towards wider adoption of Information Communications, Technology and Digital solutions, leading consultancy firm, AIDEC Consultancies International Ltd has launched the AIDEC Digital Solutions and Excellence Center to offer technology consulting and capacity building services to businesses.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AIDEC Holdings Ltd – of which AIDEC Consultancies is a subsidiary – Ambrose Yennah, expressed belief that digital technologies will play a major role in driving business growth and success on the continent in the coming decade as the application of digital solutions have assumed greater importance with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as countries on the continent seek competitive advantage
He further indicated that he expects digitalisation to facilitate the flow of goods, ideas and capital, and bolster innovation in the public and private sectors of Africa
Offering the rationale for the setting-up of the Center, he said: “The Center will help organisations innovate, strategise and execute their frontline and backend technology plans. The Center will help drive digital transformation across the continent.
We will help our clients wire their organisations for the future. We will work with clients in the health, banking and finance, energy, education, retail and agricultural sectors to drive growth, efficiency and innovation using technology that works for people, profit and the planet.”
Similarly, the Director of the Enterprise Development Department of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Habibi Sumani, representing the Executive Director of the Agency, Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, and speaking on the theme, ‘Digital Development in Africa: Ghana’s Advantage under AfCFTA’ said the initiative could not have come at a better time as small businesses embrace the Free Trade Area.
“At this point in time, the most relevant business support is digital solution support…the Center is one that can help MSMEs become digitally sound, and not only that, it is also a networking facility which would enable similar businesses connect in the country, the continent and globally,” she said.
On his part, CEO of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Seth Twum-Akwaboah, reechoed concerns over the cost and reliability of internet data, adding that without a downward review in cost and an improvement in reliability, businesses in the country would be at a disadvantage against their peers around the continent.
“As an advocate and an Industry supporter, we talk about issues which the government has to take on board and one of them that I think will facilitate our digitalization agenda is reducing the cost of data… if the cost of data is high, it presents an obstacle to the growth of businesses,” he said.
Technology consultant with AIDEC, Gideon Ofori Osabutey said Ghana must build on the existing political will to migrate operations in the country to more digital platforms and tasked businesses to take advantage of e-commerce options and digital payment solutions that AfCFTA brings. “Now we can interact even more freely with partners on the continent and beyond. We should focus on digital payment platforms to build competitive advantage.”
Also present at the event were Chairman of the Board of the AIDEC Group, Prof. Robert Yennah as well as representatives from the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI).
Prof. Robert Yennah dared individuals to seek to become Digital Citizens, by acquiring the relevant knowledge and skills to confidently, positively and effectively use digital technologies to communicate with others, participate in society, create and consume digital content.
“Companies today are rushing to become more digital, so as to avoid being outmoded or folding up, because going digital is the new normal for doing business and engaging with customers, improving customer care and business outcomes. Finally, going digital is a Technological and Organisational process that allows an enterprise to be agile and fast. The digital mind-set of a company enables it to use data to make better and faster decisions in order to grow, blossom and be more profitable,” Prof. Yennah added.
