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Communications and Digitization Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful noted that digital solutions designed by Africa and used by Africa are the main way to improve a digital single market.
This, she says, will also allow the African continent to take advantage of cross-border commerce and payment systems.
The Minister also noted that these digital solutions will also help achieve an integrated citizen digital identification goal, to enable African countries to provide equitable social services to people across socio-economic borders.
The minister made the comments in a speech read on her behalf by her deputy, Ama Pomaa Boateng at the African Digital Forum in Accra.
The forum whose theme was “The digital challenge, the opportunity for Africa within the framework of the AfCFTA”, gave the ministry the opportunity to challenge African countries to harness digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to effectively coordinate business processes.
The Honorable Pomaa Boateng, on behalf of his boss, noted that with the entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with more than 1.2 billion inhabitants, the possibility of providing technological solutions to businesses and individuals would stimulate entrepreneurship on the continent.
“Africa has the opportunity to harness digital technologies to fuel the socio-economic development of the continent. For example, the conduct of transparent digital port operations will provide responsible, transparent and efficient customs services and contribute to the success of the AfCFTA, ”she stressed.
According to her, the ministry is already defending governments’ digital strategy, prioritizing 5 thematic areas to enable them to monitor progress over the next 4 years.
“These are: digital infrastructure and connectivity, digital skills, research and innovation, the digitization of postal and messaging services, data protection, privacy and trust for digital networks and services, legal, regulatory and policy framework.
“… As the ministry responsible for driving the digital agenda, the whole country looks to our industry to deliver the necessary benefits of digitization efforts to improve public service delivery and usher in efficiency across the board. of the public service arena.
“… This will project the country in terms of ease of doing business, better access and reduced cost of acquiring these services,” she said.
The minister also revealed that her ministry has put in place technological systems and platforms, including the National Identification System (Ghana Card), digitization of records, digital payment platforms, interoperability of the mobile money and cybersecurity, among others.
According to her, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement presents both a great challenge and an opportunity for all African countries, from a digital perspective, calling for the systematic creation of opportunities for local start-ups. in order to create value and wealth for member countries.
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