Africa holds promise in ICT - Tech 360 Summit
Panelists at the 4th Tech 360 Africa Summit held in Accra on Thursday have unanimously agreed that the technology space in Africa holds an outstanding promise and will require stakeholders in the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) to pursue the technology market in order to accelerate Africa's development efforts.
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Contributing to panel discussions on several key topics on technology and innovation, the participants were of the opinion that innovation has become a critical aspect of the global economy, hence a need for African economies to integrate and streamline technological processes to catch up with the rest of the world.
The panelists discussed topics on the digital transformation in Africa, cyber security and its threat to the African digital economy and the evolving nature of the internet and how stakeholders can take advantage of it.
The panelists included Philipp Zindler (MD, Detecon), Edward Aikins (Vodafone Ghana, Enterprise Soutions), Mr Jeff Konadu (Director General (DG) of NITA), Caleb Afaglo (General Manager, MIS Division, SSINT).
Others were Ernest O. Darko-Mensah (CEO, Spearhead), William Makatiani (CEO, Serianu, Kenya), Olusola Teniola (Client Partner - Nigeria and West Africa, Detecon), Gershon Adzadi (Head of ICT, Ghana Airports Company, Ghana) and Ehizogie Binitie (Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer of Rancard).
The Deputy Minister for Communications, Mr George Andah in his opening address agreed with the panelists that a technology driven society is integral to government's effort in attaining its proposed vision for the country in the areas of health, education, construction, agriculture and commerce.
He said the ICT sector and the Digital Ghana Agenda in particular is crucial to government’s vision of creating opportunities and possibilities in the information and technology space.
The Minister commended the All Nations University for their groundbreaking satellite launch into space, adding that although government is happy with the advancements made in the technology industry, there was more room to explore innovative ideas and solutions to the challenges of the country.
He explained that government through the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) will come out with an E-government strategy paper to guide government’s approach to digitisation and eService delivery.
Touching on cybercrime, he said the Ministry has put together a holistic national cyber security policy and strategy document that will ensure appropriate defence against cyber-crime and protection of digital services.
"This will give direction to the regulator, the National Communications Authority to roll out plans to improve broadband access and services in line with the digitisation plans of Government and support the players in the sector to extend and improve services at reduced costs," he said.
The summit focused on Africa’s Digital Economy and the constraints and opportunities across Africa.
The 7th Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards due to come off on Saturday will recognize the immense role of ICTs in achieving the sustainable development goals, particularly broadband accessibility, service quality and affordability.
The occasion will also be used to unveil Ghana’s TOP 25 ICT leaders in commemoration of Ghana’s 60th Independence anniversary.