Ghana’s National Information Technology Agency (NITA) has appointed Anthony Owusu-Ansah as its Acting Deputy Director-General.
The agency said the appointment strengthens its leadership as it pursues Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.
Background
Mr. Owusu-Ansah founded ShaQ Express, an e-commerce and logistics company, in May 2020. The company launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and grew into a logistics technology brand operating in Accra and Kumasi.
ShaQ Express bills itself as a super app. It combines delivery, online shopping, food ordering, home services, pharmacy access, and bill payments in one platform. It delivers with electric motorcycles.
Before ShaQ, he spent years in corporate sales and marketing:
- Vodafone Ghana: Regional Sales Manager for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Enterprise Group: Business development, marketing and sales management roles.
- Millicom (Tigo): Several roles, including vendor relationship management.
He also founded Vacancies In Ghana, a business services company, and has worked with UNICEF’s StartUp Lab.
He graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) with a bachelor’s degree in physics and an MBA.
A Leadership Reset
The appointment is the second change in NITA’s top ranks in about 10 weeks.
In July, President John Dramani Mahama appointed Nana Yaw Amoah-Yeboah as Director-General. He replaced Dr. Mark-Oliver Kevor, who stepped down to contest the ruling NDC’s Eastern Regional executive elections.
The minister, Samuel Nartey George, described Mr. Amoah-Yeboah as a technology professional with more than a decade of experience, including work on major government digital projects.
What the Job Involves
NITA was set up under Act 771 in 2008 as the ICT policy implementing arm of the Ministry of Communications. Its mandate includes identifying and promoting technologies, standards, guidelines and practices across government agencies and local governments.
In practice, the agency does four things:
- Runs government infrastructure. It manages the National Data Centre and the government’s wide area network, which link public institutions.
- Sets technical standards. It issues IT standards and guidelines that ministries and agencies are expected to follow.
- Oversees e-government projects. It coordinates and hosts digital public services.
- Regulates electronic transactions. It licenses certain electronic transaction and certification service providers.
A Deputy Director-General typically supports the Director-General across these areas. The role usually covers day-to-day operations, internal administration and project delivery. It also involves standing in for the Director-General when needed.
NITA has not said which portfolio Mr. Owusu-Ansah will oversee.
