Dr. Clement Apaak and National Stakeholders Call for Robust Digital Infrastructure and Data Literacy to Drive Africa’s Transformation

Ghana and the wider African continent are at a critical juncture in their digital evolution, with high-level calls for increased investment in technological infrastructure and the adoption of data-driven decision-making. Speaking at the eLearning Africa conference in Accra, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, advocated for a continental shift toward technological independence. Simultaneously, during Data Literacy Week at the University of Cape Coast, key national institutions—including the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC)—emphasized that reliable data and literacy are the foundations of modern governance and economic progress.

Dr. Apaak highlighted that Africa's heavy reliance on foreign technology serves as a significant barrier to local progress and self-reliance. To counteract this, he urged African governments to mobilize domestic resources and establish a continental funding mechanism specifically for technology. A central pillar of his proposal is the recommendation that nations allocate between 1% and 2% of their annual GDP toward developing regional digital infrastructure. According to the Deputy Minister, such a commitment is essential to fostering a landscape where technological innovation can thrive without external dependencies.

Complementing this vision for physical infrastructure is the urgent need for a data-literate citizenry and leadership. During the UCC event, Dr. Philip Abradu-Otoo of the Bank of Ghana described data as the "new gold," noting its fundamental role in shaping monetary policy and economic stability. However, the push for data utilization is paired with a call for ethical responsibility. Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah from the NDPC cautioned that data must be handled with integrity to prevent the exacerbation of existing social inequalities. This focus ensures that as the nation becomes more data-centric, it remains inclusive and equitable.

The synergy between building robust digital networks and fostering data literacy represents a holistic approach to national development. By combining the physical hardware of digital infrastructure with the analytical skills of a data-literate population, Ghana aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for evidence-based policy-making. Educators and policy-makers agree that these initiatives are vital components of a strategy to secure Africa’s position in the global digital economy and ensure long-term socio-economic independence.