Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has laid out a bold and comprehensive plan to fight corruption by leveraging digitalisation and systemic reforms. Speaking during the launch of the NPP’s 2024 manifesto last Sunday, Dr. Bawumia underscored the necessity of building strong systems to foster transparency and eliminate corruption at its source.
Drawing on the success of recent technological initiatives, Dr. Bawumia pointed to the removal of ghost names from government payroll through the use of the Ghana card as an example of how digitalisation can tackle corruption effectively. He reaffirmed his commitment to pushing Ghana toward a cashless economy, highlighting how such a shift would increase the traceability of financial transactions and limit opportunities for corrupt practices.
The Vice President also commended the Bank of Ghana for its foundational efforts in driving this transition through the introduction of various digital payment systems. These include mobile money interoperability and the Universal QR Code payment system, both designed to streamline transactions and enhance transparency. In addition, the ongoing pilot of the e-cedi in Sefwi-Wiawso was spotlighted as a significant step towards reducing fraud and money laundering.
To further strengthen this digital anti-corruption strategy, Dr. Bawumia revealed plans to integrate blockchain technology and smart contracts into government operations. By making all government activities traceable and secure, these technologies aim to lock out opportunities for corruption while enhancing the efficiency and integrity of the administration.
Dr. Bawumia’s approach represents a significant departure from conventional methods of tackling corruption, with an emphasis on utilising cutting-edge technology to build a transparent, accountable system that stops corruption before it can take root.
