Former Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged African policymakers to embrace technology and innovation as critical tools for economic transformation.
Speaking at the 27th Annual Conference titled “Beyond Borders: A Myth or a Mandate for Africa’s Progress?” at Harvard University, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the vital role digitalization plays in accelerating Africa’s development and overcoming its challenges.
He called on leaders to adopt a “mindset of possibilities” when formulating policies, emphasizing that technology should be seen as an enabler rather than something to fear.
“Policymakers must act with a mindset of possibilities. We should embrace technology and not be intimidated by it. We must believe that we can leapfrog advanced nations in many areas if we put our minds to it,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
Reflecting on Ghana’s economic journey, Dr. Bawumia noted that while the country had relied on informal systems for over 60 years since independence, progress toward a formal, data-driven economy is underway. He pointed out that this transition is essential for Ghana’s participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where technology and innovation are key.
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“Today, we are building formal systems and a database-driven economy to compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Our challenge is to use digitalization to solve current problems while laying the foundation for future jobs,” he added.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of policies that leverage technology to address current economic challenges, create sustainable jobs, and position African economies to compete on a global scale.
