The impact of digitization on Ghana's moral fibre – Veep

Vice President Bawumia stated that the government is leveraging digitalization to influence national discourse and promote behaviour change based on moral principles.

Outlining the positive effects of the ongoing digitalization of national life, the Vice President stated that the government had made a conscious decision to reduce the human interface, which is typically the site of corruption.

Consequently, he lauded the merits of digitalization in the struggle against corruption and moral decline.

The remarks were made by Vice President Bawumia at the National Development Conference 2023, hosted by the Church of Pentecost in Gomoa-Fetteh, Central Region.

All major stakeholders in Ghana's development, including Former Presidents JA Kufuor and John Mahama, the Speaker of Parliament Alban S.K. Bagbin, the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkonoo, National Executives of political parties, leaders of Religious bodies, civil society organisations, and governance experts, were present at the conference.

"The transformation of a nation is determined by the behaviour of its citizens. This is why, as a government, we have prioritised the implementation of systems that reduce the role of the human factor and increase economic transparency through digitalization.

"We have put in place systems that will either encourage or compel morally upright behaviour. "Through digitalization, we are compelling morally upright behaviour," he added, noting that by reducing the human interface, state institutions and their clients have no choice but to do the right things and pay the right fees because computers do not comprehend bribes.

Dr. Bawumia cited the significant effects that digitalization has had on the efficacy and revenue generation of several important government institutions.

"The DVLA is now a world-class institution in which 'goro boys' are no longer necessary." Now, it is possible to apply for a passport online and have it delivered to your home without paying a bribe.

Now that the port is paperless, clearing your products has become much simpler.Revenue generation has also been significantly impacted by digitalization. Consider the Electricity Company of Ghana as an example.

Prior to digitalization, the organisation collected an average of 450 million GHS per month.
"We observed that, despite an increase in consumers, this number remained constant for several years.

Something was obviously wrong. Therefore, we digitised their processes and made all transactions contactless.

Despite initial resistance, the system is operating without difficulty. Monthly revenue has increased from GHS450 million per month to GHS1.2 billion per month.

"Prior to digitization, the Passport Office generated an annual average of GHS1 million. After we digitised the process, including making electronic payments, the Office now generates over 60 million Ghanaian Cedis annually.

Dr. Bawumia noted that with the introduction of digitalization, we are creating an environment and a system in which corruption cannot prosper due to the elimination and reduction of human interaction.

The Vice President emphasised the government's resolve to provide relief to the Ghanaian people and return the economy to the high growth rates that characterised its administration in the three years prior to the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak.

"We will continue with our programmes for the expansion and modernization of our educational system to create a workforce for the 21st century; the systematic reform of our healthcare delivery system to ensure a resilient, robust healthcare delivery system; and the completion of the digitalization process in order to reap the full benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution."

Vice President Bawumia, alluding to the theme of the Conference, pledged the government's commitment to work tirelessly for the "establishment of a free and just society, where entrepreneurship and individual initiative are the sources of wealth creation, with a strong social safety net for the marginalised and disadvantaged; and the improvement of the governance architecture to deepen accountability and respect for the rule of law in our body politic."

Dr. Bawumia praised the religious community's strong collaboration with the government for national development, singling out the Church of Pentecost for special praise.

"I would venture to say that the Church of Pentecost has, over the years and especially in recent years, risen to its responsibilities as a steadfast partner with the government in the development of the nation.

"In fact, the Church of Pentecost's contributions to Ghana's education, healthcare, social welfare, and economic development continue to merit the gratitude of the Ghanaian people," he emphasised.