By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The Africa Centre for Digital Transformation (ACDT) has urged government to prioritise, among other things, a reduction in data cost and growing the cybersecurity fund to achieve its intended purpose.
The Executive Vice President-ACDT, Evelyn Atuahene, in a congratulatory message to Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation Samuel Nartey George, highlighted that while internet access remains a key element to driving digital inclusion in Ghana, affordability remains a challenge as many citizens and businesses struggle with high data cost.
This aforementioned challenge, she stressed, has limited access to online resources, e-learning platforms and e-commerce opportunities for businesses and individuals.
“We urge the ministry to work with the National Communications Authority (NCA) and telecom providers to explore policies which can reduce the cost of data, ensuring that all Ghanaians – particularly those in rural areas – can afford reliable internet services,” she stated.
On the cybersecurity fund subject, ACDT maintained that as cybersecurity remains a major concern in any growing digitised economy, Ghana must embrace a more proactive approach to mitigating cyberattacks.
In doing so, the cybersecurity fund, established under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) is a vital resource for NCA to effectively execute its mandate.
However, with the limited transparency on its funding and investments, the minister must prioritise and increase allocations to the fund to enhance Ghana’s cyber defence infrastructure, protect digital assets and combat cybercrime effectively.
ACDT also called on the minister to revitalise the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) as a crucial player in bridging Ghana’s digital divide by extending communication services to underserved and rural communities.
“Recent constraints in funding and operational efficiency have slowed GIFEC’s impact. We call on the ministry to revamp GIFEC, ensuring that it receives adequate support to continue expanding digital access, equipping communities with ICT tools and driving digital literacy programmes,” she emphasised.
Another important area the centre wants the minister to give attention is implementing the national Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy.
ACDT argued that in a fast-evolving digital age AI holds immense potential to drive Ghana’s development by empowering individuals, businesses and governments. The 10-year long AI strategy outlines a roadmap for inclusive growth, addressing data governance, skill gaps and ethical AI adoption.
By implementing this strategy, Ghana can enhance quality of life and establish itself as a leading AI innovation hub in Africa. “We urge the ministry to ensure its effective execution, adhering to regulations and ethical standards and updating it regularly to suit the fast-evolving space of Artificial Intelligence.”
Gov’t to encourage innovation around SIM re-registration
The recent SIM re-registration exercise, while a necessary initiative for security and regulatory compliance, has faced implementation challenges. There is an urgent need for more innovative and seamless digital solutions to enhance future re-registration exercises.
ACDT has therefore urged government to encourage the ministry to consider integrating AI-driven identity verification and digital authentication methods to streamline the process while ensuring data protection and user convenience.
