From buying food with mobile money to booking a taxi with an app, technology is reshaping everyday life in Ghana. Yet many local businesses remain stuck on the sidelines of this digital revolution. The Ghana Employers Association (GEA) warns that without urgent action to close this gap, the country risks missing out on new jobs, higher productivity, and faster growth.
At the Association’s 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Accra, held under the theme “Leveraging Technology for Enterprise Development: The Way Forward,” GEA President, Nana Dr. Emmanuel Adu-Sarkodee Afriyie, called for decisive steps to accelerate technology adoption across all sectors of the economy.
Uneven Benefits of Digitalization
Dr. Adu-Sarkodee Afriyie noted that while digitalization has transformed certain industries, including fintech through mobile money, its benefits remain unevenly distributed across the business community.
“Findings from the 2024 Integrated Business Establishment Survey show that only four out of every ten enterprises in Ghana currently use digital financing tools,” he said. “This limited adoption is holding back productivity gains, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).”
He stressed that bridging this technology gap should be a shared priority between the government and private sector, emphasizing that access to affordable digital tools and infrastructure will allow Ghanaian businesses to compete more effectively at both regional and global levels.
Technology as a Driver of Jobs and Wealth
Citing Ghana Statistical Service data, Dr. Adu-Sarkodee Afriyie pointed out that the ICT sector now contributes between 4 and 5 percent to GDP—equivalent to more than GH¢20 billion annually.
“This shows technology is not just about efficiency, but about building new business models and creating jobs,” he explained, highlighting the rapid expansion of fintech, agritech, healthtech, and e-commerce ventures.
Examples already abound:
- Fintech – Mobile money and digital payments have revolutionized transactions.
- Agritech – Start-ups like Farmerline connect farmers to markets, financing, and weather information.
- Healthtech – Platforms such as mPharma are improving access to affordable medicines.
- E-commerce – Local businesses are expanding far beyond physical shops.
Government’s Commitment to Digital Infrastructure
Adding his voice to the discussion, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, assured businesses that government is investing in the necessary digital infrastructure to unlock the full benefits of technology.
“We are building reliable broadband networks and secure data centers to support high-tech industries,” he said. “Our message to the world is clear: Ghana is open for business, and we are ready to partner with you to build a future of innovation and prosperity.”
The Minister emphasized that government is prioritizing sectors such as agro-processing, manufacturing, and financial technology, where digital tools can be powerful catalysts for growth.
Skills Development at the Core
Dr. Pelpuo also underscored the importance of human capital in the digital economy.
“The true measure of our economic success is not just in GDP figures but in the number of dignified and sustainable jobs we create for our people,” he said.
According to him, Ghana is reforming its education system to equip students with practical, technological, and entrepreneurial skills demanded by industry. “We recognise that the jobs of tomorrow may not even exist today. Therefore, our strategy is to build a workforce that is adaptable, innovative and equipped with problem-solving skills,” he added.
Call for Public-Private Partnership
Both the GEA and government agreed that creating a tech-driven economy requires stronger collaboration. While businesses need access to affordable financing and digital tools, government must continue providing the right policies and infrastructure.
If successful, the push for technology adoption could transform Ghana into a hub for digital entrepreneurship, open new export markets, and most importantly, provide sustainable jobs for the country’s growing youth population.
