10th Tech in Ghana conference ends in Accra
The 10th edition of the Tech in Ghana conference has ended in Accra with a call on players in the technology space to provide innovations targeted at resolving Africa's existing challenges.
The two-day conference held on November 29 to 30 in Accra was on the theme: “Building Connections in Ghana’s Tech Ecosystem.”
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It brought together players in Ghana’s Tech industry to share their knowledge and build the invaluable connections that connected the tech ecosystem both here in Ghana and the UK.
Speaking at the conference, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, said there was the need to invest in the tech business because it was the future.
She said as a country, investing in the tech business would not only create jobs but go a long way to put Ghana on the map in terms of digitalisation.
“We’re investing in tech because all of Ghana’s main sectors in the country cannot only build the economy for the future but in doing so can create jobs, enhance security, improve lives and also put Ghana on the map alongside nations around the world in leading that global digital economy,” she said.
UK’s commitment
As part of the UK Government’s commitment to build a long-lasting relationship with Ghana, she said her government had already set in motion some projects such as working hand in hand with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to develop a Digital Return Tracker, which will help secure financial systems.
“We’ve worked with the GRA to help them to develop a digital return tracker, communication is stable and secure financial systems, in other words, people across the country are now able to balance tax obligations with the day-to-day running of their business because they can pay their taxes more easily, more efficiently and more securely.
“We also provided Ghana training in how to use open-source intelligence and tools to detect, investigate and prosecute and recover the proceeds of cyber-enabled crime” she said.
The Founder of Tech in Ghana, Akosua Annobil, expressed appreciation to participants for coming together to trade ideas and knowledge of the tech industry.
She described the Tech in Ghana Conference as a platform where fintech organisations and individuals told their stories, share experiences and knowledge to help expand the tech space in Africa and beyond.
Fintech ecosystem
The Head of Licensing and Authorisation for Fintech and Innovation at the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Nancy Imadi, described the Ghanaian fintech ecosystem as being very resilient.
“Ghana has done very well as our ecosystem started with the opening of Fintech and Innovation office by the Bank of Ghana that shows the seriousness that the bank attaches to the space. So, we are excited about the various activities that are ongoing.
“We see a lot of our entities complying with the regulations. A lot of them are trying to bring out innovative solutions to millions of our people and of cost with the collective objective of our financial inclusion to ensure that the millions of people that we have as a country are able to be drawn into the bracket to be financially included and to be able to access financial services in the space,” she said.