My focus on digitalisation is not an escape from economics; it is the new economy – Bawumia

The 2028 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer and former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has defended his emphasis on digitalisation during his tenure as Vice President.

The former Vice President has frequently come under criticism from his political opponents who claim he has now shifted his attention from economic discussions to digitalization due to what they describe as his failure in handling the country's economy during his time in office.

However, the NPP flagbearer has rejected suggestions that his focus on digital initiatives was an attempt to avoid addressing broader economic issues, arguing that digital infrastructure is now central to economic growth, revenue mobilisation and national development.

Dr Bawumia made the remarks during an engagement with members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Japan, where he highlighted the economic gains he attributed to several digitalisation initiatives introduced under the previous administration.

Responding to concerns about his preference for digitalisation over conventional economic discussions, he said the global economy had evolved beyond traditional approaches to economic management.

"Many people don't understand the world economy is now digital. The world economy is digital. If you don't go digital, you cannot prosper in this global economy. You cannot. That's why we have a branch called the digital economy. And if you don't take your time and put your digital framework together, you'll be left behind," he said.

To support his argument, Dr Bawumia cited the introduction of mobile money interoperability, the Ghana Card and the digitalisation of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as examples of how technology could improve economic activities and public revenue collection.

He claimed that annual mobile money transactions in Ghana increased from GH¢76 billion before the introduction of interoperability to GH¢4.5 trillion last year.

He also attributed an increase in ECG's monthly revenue collection from about GH¢450 million to GH¢2 billion to the digitalisation of the company's payment systems.

According to him, the introduction of digital payment systems has also made it possible for Ghanaians abroad to purchase electricity for their homes in Ghana without physically being in the country.