Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has mentioned the need to pay close attention to technology, education and quality healthcare delivery as they are the surest way Africa’s long awaited transformation can materialise.
According to President Akufo-Addo, it is imperative to invest in the aforementioned sectors in order to mitigate the surge in Africans crossing the Sahara desert to seek greener pastures in other European countries.
At the 5th anniversary of the Council on Foreign Relations Ghana, President Akufo Addo, speaking on the theme, “The Limits of the Current Development Co-operation Framework for Africa’s Transformation,” underscored the need for investors to delve deeper into the very critical sectors of the economy in order to achieve a sustainable and an all-inclusive development across the African sub region.
He empahsised that the digital revolution presents unprecedented opportunities to all Africans to experience an accelerated development thereby improving service delivery and enhancing economic competitiveness on the African continent.
He further added that opportunities also come with challenges that must be addressed to ensure that the benefits of technology are evenly distributed on the continent.
President Akufo-Addo said, “To harness the promise of technology, we have to invest in digital infrastructure through the expansion of broadband connectivity, improving access to information and communication technologies (ICT), and developing digital skills,” the President stated.
He emphasized that bridging the digital divide is essential to ensuring that all Africans have access to the tools and resources needed to participate in the digital economy.
He further noted the need of having innovative and entrepreneurial skills as key drivers of the economic growth that all and sundry wants to achieve of the continent thereby calling on stakeholders to create an enabling environment for startups and the development of innovative ecosystems that have the tendency of promoting the creation of new technologies and influence the business modules that address the challenges of local businesses.
President Akufo-Addo futhrer trumpeted his government’s entrenched position on giving the educational sector a facelift by ensuring that there is quality education for the Ghanaian school child.
He pointed to the success of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, which has led to the highest ever enrolment of children in senior high school in Ghana’s history. The President also emphasized the importance of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in bridging skills gaps and promoting employability.
He said, “Access to quality education is, in my view, a fundamental right and a driver of development,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
He called for continued investment in educational infrastructure and resources to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to quality education.
President Akufo-Addo further addressed important role played by quality health delivery in a sustainable development, noting that a healthy population is essential for driving economic growth and development. He highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Ghana, including the ambitious Agenda 111 initiative, which aims to construct 111 district hospitals and regional facilities across the country.
President Akufo-Addo also pointed to the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute as a key step towards achieving self-reliance in the production of vaccines, a lesson learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the importance of investing in health infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and prioritizing primary healthcare and preventive services to improve health outcomes and build resilience against health threats.
He noted that continued investment in technology, education, and health as critical pillars of Africa’s transformation. He expressed confidence that by harnessing the power of technology, ensuring access to quality education, and building strong health systems, Africa can achieve sustainable and inclusive development, ultimately transforming the continent’s future.
