Op-Ed: 10 Critical Questions to Ask About Digital Strategies in Ghana’s Election Manifestos

As Ghana enters an election year and manifesto season is in full swing, digital transformation has become a hot topic. Given its pivotal role in national development, it’s crucial to ask the right questions when evaluating the digital and tech promises in these manifestos.

I’m not wading into politics—just offering a framework, from a tech perspective, to help Ghanaians critically assess the digital strategies of those vying for leadership. A lot of the criteria are based of Global National Digital Strategies as well as the AU Digital Strategy (2020-2030).

The criteria can be used for most African Countries.

In the context of Ghana or any African country, digital transformation can play a pivotal role in national development and addressing various socio-economic challenges and must be viewed critically

What Areas Should a Digital Section of a Manifesto Cover?

Given Ghana’s diverse socio-economic landscape, a manifesto’s digital section must outline a nuanced approach that leverages technology for inclusive growth and development.

Here are key areas and questions to consider:

Infrastructure Development

Internet Connectivity: Does the manifesto address expanding reliable and affordable internet access, especially in rural and underserved areas, to reduce the digital divide?

Digital Infrastructure: Is there a commitment to building robust digital infrastructure, such as data centers and network facilities, to support digital services and innovation?

Education and Skill Development

Digital Literacy: Are there initiatives proposed to enhance digital literacy across all educational levels, ensuring the workforce is prepared for the digital economy?

Curriculum Integration: Is there a plan to integrate digital skills and ICT education into the national curriculum to foster a tech-savvy generation?

Capacity Building: What programs are outlined for continuous skill upgradation to help professionals keep pace with technological advancements?

Economic Growth and Innovation

Support for Startups: Are there policies aimed at encouraging digital entrepreneurship and supporting startups through incentives, funding, and incubation programs?

E-commerce: How does the manifesto propose to promote e-commerce, opening new markets for local businesses, including small and medium enterprises, to enhance global competitiveness?

Digital Financial Services: Does the manifesto address expanding digital financial services to boost financial inclusion, particularly targeting unbanked populations?

Healthcare

Digital Health Records: Is there an advocacy for adopting digital health records to improve healthcare efficiency and patient care?

Agriculture

Technology in Farming: How does the manifesto propose to use digital tools and data analytics to advance agricultural productivity and sustainability, supporting rural communities?

Governance and Public Services

Market Access: Are there platforms proposed for farmers to access markets, financial services, and real-time information on weather and agricultural best practices?

E-Government Services: Does the manifesto outline plans to enhance transparency and efficiency in government by digitizing public services to make them more accessible to citizens?

Citizen Engagement: How will digital platforms be used to foster citizen engagement in governance, enabling more participatory decision-making processes?

Data Protection and Cybersecurity

Legislation: Are there commitments to establishing clear data protection laws to safeguard personal information and build trust in digital services?
Cybersecurity Measures: What measures are proposed to protect national digital infrastructure and citizens’ data from cyber threats?

Digital Inclusion and Equity

Accessibility: How does the manifesto ensure digital services are accessible to all, including those with disabilities, and are digital inclusion initiatives tailored to cater to diverse community needs?
Regional Balance: Does the manifesto address regional disparities in digital access and literacy, ensuring equitable distribution of digital benefits across the country?

By asking these critical questions, a manifesto can be evaluated for its comprehensive understanding of Ghana’s digital needs and its commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development, economic growth, and an improved quality of life for all Ghanaians.

In-depth Questions for Evaluating Digital Section of Manifestos for Achievability

Vision and Alignment

Evaluating digitization manifesto begins with understanding its vision for the country’s digital future. A robust vision should be ambitious yet attainable, aligning seamlessly with national development objectives and addressing the digital needs of all citizens. It’s crucial to assess how the plans to integrate this vision across various policy domains and its strategies for stakeholder engagement.

All concepts mentioned in a manifesto must be Specific, Measurable (but with some subjectivity), Achievable, Relevant, and Time-boxed.

Questions to Consider:

Does the manifesto clearly articulate its vision for digital transformation in the country?
How does this vision align with the broader national development goals?
Does the manifesto address digital inclusivity to ensure benefits reach all demographic groups?
How does the party plan to engage with stakeholders to refine and implement this vision?
Is there a clear connection between the digital strategy and other policy areas?
How will the manifesto’s digital strategy align with Ghana’s current ICT policies and frameworks to ensure cohesive national progress?

Feasibility and Specificity: The manifesto’s feasibility and specificity are vital in understanding how they intend to turn its digital vision into reality. This includes a detailed examination of the action plans, resource allocation, and timelines.

The manifesto should outline clear, actionable steps, and demonstrate an understanding of the potential challenges and how they will be addressed.

Questions to Consider:

Are the digital initiatives proposed in the manifesto realistically achievable given the country’s current infrastructure and budget?
Does the manifesto detail the steps and timeline for implementing its digital strategies?
How does the manifesto address funding of these digital initiatives?
Are there benchmarks or milestones included in the manifesto for evaluating progress?
Does the manifesto consider potential challenges and outline contingency plans?

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Stakeholder Engagement: Lastly, the manifesto should outline a clear framework for monitoring and evaluating the progress of digital initiatives. This includes setting specific indicators, ensuring transparency, and detailing how stakeholder feedback will be integrated into the ongoing digital transformation process.

Questions to Consider:

What specific indicators will be used to monitor the progress of digital initiatives?
How will the manifesto ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of its digital strategy?
Does the manifesto include provisions for periodic review and adjustment of digital policies?
How will they report its progress on digital initiatives to the public?
Are there plans to engage independent experts or bodies to evaluate the effectiveness of the digital strategy?

Digital Inclusion and Equity:

What measures are proposed to ensure that the benefits of digital transformation are equitably distributed across different regions and communities in Ghana?
How does the manifesto address the digital divide, particularly in terms of access to digital services and internet connectivity?
Are there specific strategies to include marginalized and underserved populations in the digital economy?
What is the approach to ensuring that digital government services are inclusive and accessible to all Ghanaians, thereby improving public service delivery and participation in the digital age?

Infrastructure development

What specific commitments has the manifesto made to expand affordable high-speed internet access across Ghana, especially in rural and underserved areas?
How does the manifesto detail the development of critical digital infrastructure, such as data centers and network facilities?
What are the projected timelines for each phase of the digital infrastructure development plan?
What strategies are in place to foster public-private partnerships in infrastructure development?
What measures will be implemented to ensure the resilience and security of Ghana’s digital infrastructure against cyber threats?
How does the manifesto plan to integrate Ghana’s digital infrastructure with broader regional and continental digital initiatives e.g. AU Digital Strategy?
What is the party’s strategy to finance the proposed infrastructure developments, and how will financial transparency be ensured?

Digital Economy and Workforce Development

What initiatives are included for skill development and digital literacy at all educational levels?
Does the manifesto outline support for transitioning traditional industries to the digital economy
How does the manifesto plan to address the digital infrastructure gap that may hinder workforce development in remote areas?
In what ways will the strategy foster collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia to enhance workforce development in the digital economy?
How will the manifesto ensure that digital transformation initiatives are environmentally sustainable and align with Ghana’s climate goals?
What are the contingency plans if the anticipated outcomes in digital workforce development are not achieved within the set timeframe?
How does the manifesto propose to integrate emerging technologies like AI and blockchain into Ghana’s digital economy and workforce training programs?
How will the manifesto ensure that the digital economy benefits are not concentrated in tech hubs but are dispersed across various regions in Ghana?
What plans are in place to monitor the impact of digitalization on the informal economy and ensure that informal workers are not marginalized?
What steps will be taken to ensure that digital workforce development programs are scalable and can be expanded to meet growing demand?

Governance and Public Services:

How does the manifesto propose to use digital tools to enhance transparency and efficiency in governance?
What specific e-government services are planned to improve public service delivery?
How will the digital transformation in governance be monitored and assessed for effectiveness?
Are there plans to digitize public records, and how will data integrity be ensured?
How does the manifesto ensure that digital public services are accessible to all, including those with limited digital skills?

Health

What specific digital health initiatives are proposed in the manifesto to improve healthcare accessibility and quality in Ghana?
How does the manifesto integrate digital technology in existing healthcare infrastructure across urban and rural areas?
What measures are in place to ensure the reliability and security of digital health data?
How does the manifesto plan to engage with private sector partners and international organizations to enhance digital healthcare services?
What mechanisms will be established to monitor the effectiveness and patient outcomes of digital health initiatives?
How will digital health records be implemented and standardized across the healthcare system to improve patient care continuity?
How does the manifesto ensure that digital health solutions are culturally sensitive and user-friendly for all Ghanaians?
What are the projected timelines and milestones for the rollout of key digital health projects?
How does the manifesto address the potential risks and challenges associated with the digital transformation of healthcare services?
How will the manifesto’s digital health initiatives align with existing national health policies and international health standards?
What is the strategy for sustaining funding and support for digital health programs in the long term?
How will manifesto ensure the interoperability of digital health systems within Ghana and with international systems?
What measures will be implemented to protect against cyber threats and ensure the privacy of health data in digital platforms?
How will the party measure the return on investment for digital health initiatives, considering both economic and health outcome metrics?

Agriculture

What initiatives are included to promote digital market access for farmers, enabling them to sell their products more effectively and reach broader markets?
How does the manifesto plan to use digital technology to enhance agricultural supply chain transparency and efficiency?
What steps will be taken to ensure that digital agricultural initiatives are inclusive, benefiting women farmers and youth in agriculture?
How will the effectiveness of digital initiatives in agriculture be monitored and evaluated over time?
What is the projected timeline for the rollout of key digital agriculture projects, and how will progress be communicated to stakeholders?
What partnerships with tech companies, research institutions, and international organizations are planned to foster innovation in digital agriculture?
What measures are in place to ensure that digital technologies in agriculture are accessible and affordable for all farmers, regardless of their size or location?
How will the manifesto involve farmers and agricultural stakeholders in the design, implementation, and review of digital agriculture policies and programs?

FINTECH

What regulatory frameworks and policies are proposed to foster a conducive environment for fintech growth while protecting stakeholders?
What is the party’s strategy for promoting innovation in payment systems and digital currencies within Ghana’s financial landscape?
What role will fintech play in the party’s strategy for reducing poverty and achieving sustainable economic growth?
Even though Ghana is in top 5 of countries that receive startup funding in Africa, the first 4 mop up 78% of said funding. What specific policies are proposed to attract foreign investment into Ghana’s fintech sector?
How does the manifesto address the cybersecurity and security pitfalls with mobile money?

Data Privacy and Security:

What commitments does the manifesto make regarding the protection of citizen data?
How does it plan to address cybersecurity threats and enhance national cybersecurity readiness?
Does the manifesto propose new regulations or laws related to data privacy and digital security; how will they be implemented?
What mechanisms will be established for individuals to control their personal data and privacy?
How does the manifesto address potential cyber threats and ensure secure digital transactions?

Finally Here’s why digital and teaching have become important discussion points in election discussions and must promises made in that area be evaluated carefully:

Economic Growth and Innovation: A robust digital strategy can stimulate economic growth by fostering innovation, supporting digital entrepreneurship, and creating new job opportunities in the tech sector. It can also help traditional industries become more efficient and competitive through digitalization, contributing to a more dynamic and resilient economy.
Improved Public Services: Digitalization can revolutionize public service delivery, making it more efficient, transparent, and accessible. E-government services can streamline processes, reduce corruption, and enhance citizens’ engagement with the government, improving overall governance and trust in public institutions.
Education and Skill Development: As the world becomes increasingly digital, equipping citizens with the necessary digital skills is essential. A digital strategy that includes education and training can ensure that the workforce is prepared for the future job market, reducing unemployment and underemployment, especially among the youth.
Healthcare Accessibility: Digital health initiatives can extend healthcare services to remote and underserved areas, improving access and outcomes. Telemedicine, digital health records, and health information systems can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.
Financial Inclusion: Digital financial services, such as mobile banking and fintech solutions, can significantly increase financial inclusion, offering banking services to those traditionally excluded from the financial system. This is particularly important in rural or impoverished areas where access to physical banking facilities is limited.
Agricultural Advancement: Implementing digital strategies in agriculture can lead to more informed decision-making, increased productivity, and higher incomes for farmers. Technologies like precision agriculture, market access platforms, and digital extension services can transform the agricultural sector.
Inclusive Development: A well-crafted digital strategy ensures that the benefits of digital transformation are equitably distributed, addressing the digital divide and ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their location or socio-economic status, can access digital opportunities.
Global Competitiveness: As the global economy becomes increasingly digital, having a coherent digital strategy is essential for a country to remain competitive. It enables the nation to participate effectively in the global digital economy, attract foreign investment, and foster international partnerships.
Adaptation to Global Trends: The digital landscape is evolving rapidly. A forward-looking digital strategy in a party’s manifesto shows commitment to adapting to global technological trends and preparing the nation for future challenges and opportunities.
Youth Engagement: The youth demographic is particularly tech-savvy and engaged in digital platforms. A manifesto that highlights a comprehensive digital strategy demonstrates a commitment to issues that resonate with younger voters, potentially increasing their engagement in the political process.

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