By Albert Allotey
Accra, Nov. 29, GNA – Madam Akosua Annobil, the Founder of Tech in Ghana says since the launch of the platform in 2017, Ghana’s tech ecosystem had shown consistent growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
She noted that Tech in Ghana conference had hosted over 700 speakers and 4,000 delegates across its 13 previous events, and fostered connections between Ghanaian startups and international opportunities, including partnerships in France, South Korea, and Morocco.
Madam Annobil made the remark at the end of a two-day 14th edition of the 2024 conference in Accra on Wednesday.
This year’s conference was on the theme, “Security, Synergy, and Storytelling.” It brought together key players in Ghana’s tech industry to discuss innovation, collaboration, and the future of technology.
It also focused on data protection, collaboration between local and international stakeholders, and sharing Ghana’s success stories in the global tech space.
Madam Annobil said, “This year feels different. It feels like we have landed not just as a platform but also as an ecosystem.”
She emphasized the importance of making tech innovators as recognizable as music artists, saying, “Tech has a big opportunity to inspire young people. We need to immerse pop culture into the tech industry for the greater good.”
Madam Harriet Thompson, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, lauded Tech in Ghana as a key platform for driving innovation and growth.
She expressed pride in the UK’s partnership with the event, highlighting initiatives such as AI for development and climate-smart agriculture programmes.
“Technology and innovation are fundamental tools for finding solutions to global challenges like climate change and cybersecurity,” she said.
The Commissioner urged participants to collaborate, innovate, and share stories that would propel Ghana’s tech ecosystem forward.
Mr Kwame Oppong, Head of Fintech and Innovation, Bank of Ghana, commended Tech in Ghana for its role in showcasing Ghana’s technological advancements.
He outlined the central bank’s efforts to enable fintech growth, including the establishment of its Fintech Office in 2020, policies on interoperability, and the development of a central bank digital currency.
“We want to create a regional hub for fintech innovation in Ghana emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with market stability” Mr Oppong stated.
He also highlighted cross-border payment solutions being tested between Ghana and Nigeria to enhance regional integration.
Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, the Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority, acknowledged the global challenge of building capacity in cybersecurity and pointed out that Ghana was the first African country to implement a full legislative and accreditation process for cybersecurity professionals.
He revealed that Ghana currently has about 1,560 accredited cybersecurity professionals across three tiers of expertise, adding that there was the need to accurately assess and develop capacity to secure the nation’s digital space effectively.
He encouraged young people to pursue careers in cybersecurity and take advantage of the accreditation framework to enhance their professional opportunities.
Dr. Antwi-Boasiako also announced ongoing partnerships with countries such as Mozambique and Singapore, aimed at sharing Ghana’s innovative cybersecurity framework.
He expressed optimism about the potential for accredited Ghanaian professionals to work seamlessly across African countries under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
Furthermore, he noted the growth of cybersecurity service providers in Ghana, with over 200 firms established, and expressed hope that other African countries would adopt similar frameworks.
The Director- General urged stakeholders, including policymakers and development practitioners, to support Ghana’s efforts to build a sustainable and secure digital future.
Mr Tavora Biza, the Group CEO of Old Mutual Ghana, stressed that as a financial services company with over 180 years of history, the company prioritized security and responsibility in its operations.
He highlighted the company’s efforts to grow and scale in innovative ways while staying committed to being a responsible business.
GNA