Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, has articulated a comprehensive vision for leveraging technology to propel urban development in Ghana, centered around the nation’s Smart Cities Plan. This ambitious plan aims to integrate cutting-edge technologies into the fabric of urban life, encompassing key initiatives such as the implementation of smart electric and water meters for efficient resource management, the development of sophisticated digital transportation systems to streamline urban mobility, and the deployment of intelligent lighting and security infrastructure to enhance safety and public well-being. Crucially, the Minister emphasized that the focus of smart city development is not solely on constructing new urban centers, but also on transforming existing cities into vibrant, technologically advanced hubs, contributing to rapid industrialization and overall national development.
This vision, presented during a keynote address at the Ghana-China Business Summit in Accra, underscores the Ghanaian government’s commitment to innovation and technology as drivers of economic growth and societal progress. Mr. George highlighted the ongoing finalization of the Innovations and Startups Bill, a crucial piece of legislation designed to provide the necessary legal framework and financial incentives to support innovation-driven enterprises, fostering a dynamic and thriving startup ecosystem. Further emphasizing the government’s proactive approach, he outlined the use of policy hackathons and co-creation platforms as mechanisms to cultivate collaboration between government entities, startups, and the private sector, ensuring a synergistic approach to technological advancement.
A central element of Ghana’s technological transformation is the ambitious 24-Hour Economy policy. This initiative aims to optimize productivity by transcending traditional time constraints, leveraging the power of technology, reliable energy infrastructure, and efficient logistics to enable continuous economic activity. The Minister elaborated on the role of digital platforms in facilitating this round-the-clock economy, highlighting e-commerce systems designed for seamless operation across time zones, mobile money and digital payment networks that remain active 24/7, and digitized sports and customs platforms that streamline trade flows across the country. This multifaceted approach aims to unlock new economic opportunities and maximize the nation’s productive capacity.
Positioning Ghana as a strategic gateway to Africa, Mr. George extended an invitation to Chinese and international investors, urging them to capitalize on Ghana’s potential as a launchpad for ventures across the wider continent. This invitation reflects the Ghanaian government’s proactive stance in attracting foreign investment and fostering international partnerships to drive economic growth and development. The Minister underscored Ghana’s growing influence in shaping technology and innovation standards across West Africa, championing the concept of “technology diplomacy” whereby Ghana exports its technological solutions and expertise to neighboring countries, fostering regional collaboration and shared progress.
Addressing the significance of digital platforms within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr. George advocated for the development of integrated solutions in logistics, payments, and trade facilitation to maximize the benefits of this continental free trade zone. He stressed the importance of seamless cross-border transactions and efficient logistics networks to unlock the full potential of the AfCFTA. However, he also sounded a note of caution, emphasizing the crucial need for countries to prioritize data sovereignty and establish robust data governance frameworks to protect national security amidst the expansion of digital trade. This balanced approach underscores the government’s commitment to fostering innovation while simultaneously safeguarding national interests.
Reinforcing the government’s commitment to international collaboration, the Minister issued an open invitation to all technology companies present at the summit to submit proposals for partnerships. He affirmed the government’s openness to exploring mutually beneficial collaborations, assuring potential partners that proposals aligning with the interests of both Ghana and China would be given due consideration. This proactive approach to partnership building underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging international expertise and resources to drive technological advancement and economic growth. The positive response from notable Chinese companies, including Changfeng Digital Intelligence, expressing interest in partnerships across various sectors, indicates the growing interest in Ghana as a promising investment destination and a key player in Africa’s technological transformation.
