By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Ghana has placed itself at the forefront of Africa’s digital revolution, with the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George (MP), reaffirming the country’s commitment to using technology as a catalyst for prosperity and continental leadership.
Speaking at the Ghana edition of the Digital Africa Summit held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, the Minister underscored the importance of deliberate policy design, institutional strengthening, and strategic partnerships in unlocking Ghana’s digital potential.
The event also featured the launch of a comprehensive digitalization study on Ghana, serving as a roadmap for the country’s future digital journey.
Ghana’s Communication Minister highlighted significant reforms already underway, including the release of additional spectrum, the removal of the electronic transactions levy, and the adoption of technology neutrality for licensed operators. He explained that intentional measures taken over the past eight months such as expanding internet infrastructure, reducing data costs, and improving competition have created a more enabling environment for innovation.
“Ghana’s digital economic policy and strategy are anchored on four pillars: infrastructure, skills, trust, and innovation,” the Minister stated.
He revealed that the ‘One Million Coders’ programme has already attracted more than 90,000 applicants, with the goal of equipping 100,000 young Ghanaians with cutting-edge digital skills by the end of the year. At the same time, he noted improvements in data affordability, with MTN bundles increasing by 15% and Telecel and AirtelTigo bandwidth rising by 10%.
Looking ahead, Mr Samuel George outlined five key policy focus areas: connectivity for productivity, mass digital skills training with gender inclusion, digital finance adoption, strong trust frameworks, and smarter technology procurement. However, he cautioned that challenges remain, particularly high data costs, uneven service quality, and rising cyber threats, noting that Ghana has recorded over 6,400 cyber incidents this year alone.
Calling for a partnership-driven approach, the Minister urged telecommunication companies, startups, banks, and investors to play their part in building a resilient and inclusive digital economy. “We invite partners to invest, build, teach, and safeguard transforming bandwidth into business, data into decisions, and code into jobs,” he said.
The Summit reinforced Ghana’s ambition to be not only a beneficiary but also a driver of Africa’s digital transformation, positioning Accra as a hub for innovation, investment, and digital leadership on the continent.
