Tony Peter Clement, former Canadian Minister of Industry responsible for digitalisation, science, and technology, has lauded Ghana’s ambitious digitalisation agenda as a transformative model for developing countries.
Speaking at the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA) forum 2024 in Accra, Clement emphasised the success of Ghana’s digital revolution in enhancing accountability and transparency across various sectors of the local economy.
His remarks came during a presentation on “Leveraging AI as a Tool to Build Stronger Campaign Coalitions.”
Clement highlighted Ghana’s mobile money interoperability and biometric national identification systems as critical achievements that have bolstered the country’s economic development.
He urged other developing nations to adopt similar digital strategies to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas and to improve cybersecurity.
The mobile money interoperability system, officially launched by Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia in May 2018 through the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS), has significantly promoted financial inclusion and facilitated cashless transactions.
This system allows users to seamlessly transfer funds across different mobile money networks, eliminating the complexities and inconveniences traditionally associated with such transfers.
The interoperability system has lowered transaction costs and increased user convenience by reducing the need for third-party payment providers.
It has also addressed issues such as difficulties opening bank accounts and high costs associated with maintaining them, thereby more effectively integrating mobile money users into the financial ecosystem.
Clement also advocated for strong public-private partnerships to accelerate digital advancements, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in driving progress in the digital realm.
