The Dean of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. John Gatsi has sent a strong message to the Head of Ghana’s Economic Management Team, Vice President Dr. Bawumia telling him digitalization is not a replacement for hardship and unemployment.
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia this evening delivered a public lecture on the Digitalization of the Ghanaian economy.
He says Ghana is globally renowned, as a digitalization pacesetter on the African continent, and explains how Ghana has achieved many global firsts in many innovations through digitization.
This, the Finance Economist has responded to him sharply saying “In recent times, the following words – digitization, digitalization and economic transformation have moved from the experts to politicians. The reality is that digitalization is a continuous process that goes beyond the generation of data. It is actually an input to catalyze efficient processes and enhance benefits.”
Prof. Gatsi explains that “The hard truth is, it is not a replacement for the provision of potable water, industrial and domestic access to cheaper energy. Is also not a replacement for debt overhang, fiscal dominance, and massive unemployment. Poor housing schemes, low investments in roads, irrigation facilities, and continuous income erosion for households cannot be replaced by digitization or digitalization.”
The educationist bemoans how the word digitization has now moved from experts to politicians adding that “If we make the mistake into thinking that digitalization surpasses the provision of common needs of the people then we are saying applying for a Ghana card online on empty stomach is a great achievement. Doing all including deepening digitalization is a must. Because Ghanaians will say let me work to enjoy digitalization. Let me have internet to enjoy digitalization. Let fuel prices go down to enjoy digitalization. Let incomes be stable to enjoy digitalization.”
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In recent times, the following words – digitization, digitalization and economic transformation have moved from the experts to politicians. The reality is that digitalization is a continuous process that goes beyond the generation of data. It is actually an input to catalyze efficient processes and enhance benefits.
Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is still fundamentally potent even in face of digitalization. Digitalization is only relevant if it helps the economy to realize basic needs. Digitalization is a requirement to do many things effectively, thus digitalization should not be isolated for discussion.
Digitalization as a continuous process starts with acceptance and willingness to invest in infrastructure to promote the deployment of digital tools for use. The next step is how to deploy systems to cover as many areas as possible.
Progressively, these technologies should be deployed into agriculture, health, education, merchandising, communication, payment systems among others.
The hard truth is, it is not a replacement for the provision of potable water, industrial and domestic access to cheaper energy. Is also not a replacement for debt overhang, fiscal dominance, and massive unemployment. Poor housing schemes, low investments in roads, irrigation facilities, and continuous income erosion for households cannot be replaced by digitization or digitalization.
If we make the mistake into thinking that digitalization surpasses the provision of common needs of the people then we are saying applying for a Ghana card online on empty stomach is a great achievement. Doing all including deepening digitalization is a must. Because Ghanaians will say let me work to enjoy digitalization. Let me have internet to enjoy digitalization. Let fuel prices go down to enjoy digitalization. Let incomes be stable to enjoy digitalization.
There is financial inclusion and financial empowerment. People don’t enjoy enhanced payment systems without the ability to earn sustain incomes. Telling us how digitalization has rapidly reduced unemployment among the youth will be interesting to listen to. It will be early Christmas if digitalization has helped to operationalize all e-blocks and health facilities.