At the official launch of the Ghana Electronic Pharmacy Platform (ePharmacy) in Accra on Tuesday, Dr. Bawumia said the government’s advantage in digitalization comes from the way that the fourth Industrial Revolution is computerized unrest, which is irreplaceable in the financial change of a developing economy.
The Vice President, who recorded various advanced developments the government has started and the effects they are having in facilitating admittance to public services and affecting government income, expressed every one of these developments was met with cynicism by individuals “with the minds of impossibilities.”
“There are many, who refuse to understand the importance of digitalization to our economic transformation. Therefore, they will mock any new innovation,” Dr. Bawumia said.
He mentioned various computerized developments, which certain individuals questioned and said it was unrealistic to accomplish, or question Ghana’s capacity to accomplish such a mechanical achievement.
“They mocked the digital address system, they mocked the mobile money interoperability because they did not understand when we said that when we bring mobile money interoperability, every adult Ghanaian would be able to have a bank account. Today, with mobile money interoperability, 90% of adult Ghanaians have at least either a mobile money account or a bank account and the two are interoperable, they are basically working like the same, so we have achieved that objective.”
“They do not realize that through the Ghana card, we have been able to increase the proportion of Ghanaians with Tax Identification Numbers from 4% when we came into the office to 85% too.”
“People did not understand why the Ghana card, certified by ICAO, could be used as a travel document and they mocked the idea. Today, it is a reality and our diasporans can use the Ghanacard and travel to Ghana without a visa.”
“People did not believe when we launched Ghana Pay, to make Ghana the first country in the world to have a bank-wide mobile money wallet. Usually, it is the telcos who issue mobile money wallets.”
“People could not understand how zipline medical drone service could be used to deliver medical supplies to save lives. They tried to convince people that drones were to be used for taking pictures of women in bathrooms. Today, as we speak, Ghana has the largest drone delivery service in the world.”
Dr. Bawumia reiterated the government’s enthusiasm towards carrying out its extraordinary advanced innovation even if it keeps on confronting cynicism from individuals who will not completely accept that an African nation like Ghana isn’t fit for driving the execution of digital development.
“Unfortunately, for people of governments that try to lead our country to a new level, they are confronted with a mindset that only sees impossibilities; a mindset that refuses to believe that an African country like Ghana can lead the world in implementing digital technology.
“This is why I enjoy proving the skeptics wrong all the time. Usually, when I say we are going to do this, they say he is lying. And when it comes, they keep quiet.”
“Ultimately, we must all remember that you cannot transform an economy with just brick and mortar. You can only transform an economy with ideas, systems, and institutions. Not just brick and mortar.”