Ghana's Digital Transformation should be handled by Private Sector

Accra, May 22, GNA - Mr Solomon Adiyiah, CEO, E Solutions Ghana and renowned IT expert, has noted that transforming the public and other sectors in the country digitally, should be left solely to the local private sector to handle.

He said that the private sector had the resources, the space, and expertise to undertake the task speedily and effectively.

Mr Adiyiah made the observation at a media brief on 'Digital Transformation, the Future of Business', and the launch of e solutions' flagship offering 'the Smart Workplace in Accra.

'Personally I don't believe that government should be running these IT shops, but they could be kept as governing bodies that makes policies and enforces standards.

'If we want to build a viable ICT industry in Ghana, then the private sector, preferably local IT experts should be responsible for deploying these technologies,' he said.

He said apart from the financial sector that harnessed mobile banking technology, other sectors such as the, public sector, health, education, utility sectors, did not employ any real technological transformation.

'Government needs to empower the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) to ensure that they can drive the change through policies and standards and work with the private sector so the private sector can do the implementation.'

The Ministry of Communications through NITA have IT policies and engagements, but it needs to be advanced to proper technology delivery programmes initiated, that would go a long way to drive the development of the country forward', he said.

'We need implementation, real deliveries and not policy documents, to increase productivity in government.

'Find the money and engage local IT experts to build a viable ICT industry that would support the entire country, and possibly export it,' he said.

The first enterprise architecture, which is the blueprint to drive Ghana has been drafted and would be initiated to push the country forward in this regard.

African countries like Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa and the Ivory Coast, because of their drive in using digital transformation have been able to push their countries forward in terms of economic competitiveness.

The Smart workplace is an internet platform built to help agencies work effectively and improve productivity in organisations, targeted at government agencies, the public and private sector.

The platform promises a better customer experience, an enhanced brand reputation, streamlined business operations and increase in sales.

It also helps retention of customers, extending the reach of organisations and improved management decisions.

It speeds up the development of new products and services and promotes a culture that encourages creativity and innovation in organisations.

GNA