Ghana’s entrepreneurship and innovation leaders are calling on President Mahama to prioritize appointing professionals with entrepreneurial expertise to lead the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology & Innovations, and other critical agencies.
These appointments are seen as pivotal for advancing the country’s digital agenda, fostering startups, and driving innovation-driven economic growth.
Why it matters
Stakeholders, including the Association of Ghana Startups, Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, and Ghana Hubs Network, argue that many public institutions demonstrate an “extractive and apathetic” approach, discouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.
What they’re saying
“We need leaders who genuinely understand the entrepreneurial journey,” says Solomon Adjei, President of the Association of Ghana Startups.
“The right leadership can create policy frameworks that encourage innovation and drive sustainable economic growth.”
The ask
- Appoint a digital innovation champion: Select a Minister of Communications, Digital Technology & Innovations with extensive knowledge of global tech trends and the ability to customize them for Ghana’s needs.
- Ecosystem leaders in key agencies: Ensure that experienced entrepreneurs or ecosystem enablers lead the National Entrepreneurship and Innovations Program (NEIP), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), and Ghana Digital Centers Ltd (Accra Digital Center).
- Craft a startup strategy: Work closely with industry and ecosystem partners to craft and implement forward-thinking strategies that empower startups, create jobs, and accelerate local and national economic development.
- Focus on skills development: Build a strategy aimed at developing requisite digital, business, and tech skills. Empowered young people through such a strategy can be linked to jobs locally and abroad. Skills and solutions developed through this program can support efforts at addressing economic and development challenges leveraging digital and tech innovations.
Between the lines
- Stakeholders emphasize the importance of collaboration between the government and ecosystem players.
- Leaders with firsthand entrepreneurial experience are viewed as essential advocates for policies that drive innovation and growth.
The bottom line
Ghana’s digital future hinges on strong leadership and strategic policy. With the right appointments, the government can transform the ecosystem, support startups, and position Ghana as a leader in Africa’s innovation landscape.
Signatories:
- Solomon Adjei, Association of Ghana Startups
- Sherif Ghali, Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs
- Yaw Adu Gyamfi, Ghana Hubs Network
