Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Former Vice President of Ghana, captivated an audience at Harvard University on Saturday, February 15, as he highlighted Ghana’s impressive achievements in digital transformation.
Addressing students, faculty, and policy experts at the African Development Conference, Bawumia outlined how Ghana has strategically embraced digitalisation to modernise its economy, improve public service delivery, and create jobs.
He stated, “Africa does not lack talent. What we lack is deliberateness, leadership, and investment to create the ecosystems where innovations and innovators thrive.” He emphasised the crucial role of technology in driving economic progress.
Key achievements Bawumia discussed included the introduction of the Ghanacard, a biometric national ID system that has provided over 85% of adults with unique identities, facilitating financial inclusion, taxation, and access to government services.
Another notable initiative was the digital property address system, which mapped every inch of the country and resolved a longstanding issue.
“A modern economy simply cannot function without a reliable address system,” Bawumia said, emphasising the efficiency these innovations have brought to governance and business.
He also discussed Ghana’s leadership in digital payments, highlighting the success of Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI), which has enabled over 90% of the adult population to access financial services, making Ghana the only African country with universal financial inclusion.
“Ghana is at the cutting edge of digital payments technology,” he declared, noting the country’s global recognition for mobile money regulation.
The health sector’s digitisation was another focal point. Bawumia detailed how Ghana’s collaboration with Zipline has revolutionised emergency medical supply deliveries through drones, creating the world’s largest medical drone delivery service. This innovation has significantly improved healthcare delivery, especially in remote areas.
He also pointed to digitisation in agriculture, where a biometric farmer database has enhanced transparency, planning, and financial access for farmers.
Concluding his address, Bawumia championed Africa’s potential to lead in the digital revolution, urging policymakers to adopt a mindset of possibilities. “Digitalisation is not merely a luxury but a necessity for survival and prosperity in the 21st century,” he said.
His inspiring presentation received a standing ovation, solidifying Ghana’s position as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation.
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