Interview: Sylva Vortia, CEO, Axon Information Systems
To what extent has the growth of the ICT sector accelerated economic development?
SYLVA VORTIA: One of the most important factors that has propelled the expansion of Ghana’s ICT sector is the government’s commitment to digitalisation. This national effort aligns with global post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery efforts. In the software development field, the surge of young people pursuing software engineering courses is promising, and demand for ICT services is likely to continue to boom as public and private sector players digitalise business processes.
ICT is a significant contributor to Ghana’s economic growth, despite fiscal constraints and the cedi’s depreciation. The demand for cloud computing infrastructure has been driven by businesses using these services, particularly following the pandemic, which has led to enormous development potential for the sector.
How can Ghana support technology entrepreneurs to boost exports of IT-enabled services?
VORTIA: As a developing country, Ghana’s reliance on imported technology underscores its vulnerability to losing vital jobs. Ghana’s vast network of technology centres – one of the continent’s largest – offers crucial support to start-ups and entrepreneurs, but their interconnectedness and services can pose a challenge. Assisting more IT entrepreneurs in bringing their products to the local and international market should be the ultimate objective. A policy shift by the government that emphasises self-reliance and incentivises the development of local technology enterprises could fortify the country’s ICT resilience on the global stage.
In what ways can Ghana foster a knowledge-based economy through the development of ICT?
VORTIA: To make Ghana a knowledge-based economy, a paradigm shift in the education system is imperative. Moving from rote learning to a practice-centric curriculum would ensure that graduates are prepared for industry demands. Creating post-graduation platforms for practical experience would facilitate a smooth transition from academia to the workforce, addressing the disconnect between education and industry expectations. In order to achieve this, Ghana needs to encourage the use of information, knowledge and technology in the economy and society to propel socio-economic development; and update Ghana’s education system to make better use of ICT to increase access to education, and enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
Where does Ghana need to invest to develop the ICT ecosystem and fuel economic growth?
VORTIA: Catalysing employment and growth in ICT requires strategic investment in infrastructure. Facilitating seamless nationwide connectivity and leveraging modern advancements are critical. In addition, the establishment of a cost-effective ICT consulting data structure enhances accessibility, supporting sustainable development and economic expansion.
It is important for the government to expand 4G and 5G services through collaborations with network operators and private investors to ensure that more people have access to internet services, in line with Ghana’s goal of providing digital services to rural communities. In a related development, the mobile money platform managed by the Bank of Ghana has seen rapid growth.
Investing in automation and artificial intelligence (AI) can present business owners with new ways to boost their companies’ productivity, optimise processes and enhance customer satisfaction. AI and automation are changing how organisations operate and compete, from chatbots that answer questions from customers, to predictive algorithms that help improve pricing. To further enhance and develop the ICT ecosystem, and improve productivity and service delivery, the government is focusing on expediting the implementation of important digital initiatives, as well as promoting a cashless economy with digitalised tax collection systems.
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