No economic strategy can succeed without digital foundation – Bawumia stresses at CitizenApp launch

Ghana's Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has emphasised the crucial role of digitalisation in driving a modern economy. 

He made this statement during the launch of the CitizenApp, a cutting-edge platform designed to centralise and enhance interactions between the government and citizens.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Bawumia underscored the importance of building a robust digital foundation for developing countries like Ghana. 

He noted that the government's digitalisation efforts over the past seven and a half years are pivotal to transforming Ghana’s economy and making it competitive in the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution.

"Under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, we have made digitalisation a central pillar of our economic strategy, recognising that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is already reshaping the global landscape," Dr. Bawumia stated. 

"As a country that missed the first three industrial revolutions, we cannot afford to miss this fourth one."

Success of Ghana’s digitalisation drive

Highlighting the success of Ghana’s digitalisation journey, Dr. Bawumia referenced key achievements, including the biometric national identity card system, the digital address system, mobile money interoperability, and the digitisation of public services.

"Before we began this journey in 2017, digitalisation in Ghana was largely seen as a peripheral concern, not central to the country’s national development agenda," he said, recalling the inefficiencies and delays that plagued public services due to manual processes. 

"In sectors such as public administration, trade, education, financial inclusion, and healthcare, the lack of digital systems meant slow, non-transparent processes that were prone to errors," Dr. Bawumia added, citing vehicle registration and business licensing as key examples of inefficient, manual operations that slowed economic productivity and encouraged petty corruption.

He also pointed out how the absence of digital systems disproportionately affected rural and underserved communities, leaving them without access to essential services.

Digitalisation as an economic strategy

Dr. Bawumia acknowledged the criticism he faced for focusing on digitalisation, with some questioning why an economist would champion digital efforts. However, he noted that the undeniable link between digitalisation and economic growth has vindicated his approach.

"Many questioned why an Economist Vice President would spearhead the government’s digitalisation efforts," Dr. Bawumia said. "I am grateful that I don’t have to answer the cynics anymore, because the answer is becoming more obvious every day. No economic strategy can succeed without a strong digital foundation."

The CitizenApp

The CitizenApp, which Dr. Bawumia launched, is a comprehensive digital platform aimed at centralising public services to improve efficiency, accessibility, and convenience for all Ghanaians. 

"With this single, unified, user-friendly platform, we are consolidating public services to enhance efficiency and accessibility," Dr. Bawumia explained. "From paying utility bills and local assembly tolls to obtaining digital addresses, booking intercity transport, and even changing your name after marriage—everything can now be done in one place, from your mobile phone."