Professor Francis Owusu, a distinguished member of the Department of Community and Regional Planning at Iowa State University, has praised Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his initiatives aimed at advancing digitalization in Ghana.
He articulated that such efforts are crucial for leveraging the productive potential of the internet, thereby enhancing efficiency across various sectors of national development.
During a public lecture on the book “Dr. Bawumia and the Modern Vice Presidency in Ghana,” authored by Professor Etse Sikanku, Professor Owusu emphasized that the effective utilization of digital technology, particularly the Internet, is essential for Africa to capitalize on the emerging opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence.
He pointed out that nations with robust Internet connectivity and digital infrastructure are better positioned to harness AI for innovation and to enhance their capabilities in numerous fields.
Furthermore, he highlighted that a strong digital infrastructure not only fosters innovation but also promotes national efficiency. On an international scale, it enables countries to engage more effectively with the global community, as technological innovation is a fundamental driver of contemporary global interactions.
This advancement would also create additional employment opportunities and markets for the people of Ghana. In this context, he underscored the necessity of establishing a solid internet infrastructure and digital foundation, a commitment that Dr. Bawumia has consistently championed, warranting recognition for prioritizing this critical issue.
It helps to move the country forward in terms of allowing internal processes to be efficient and it allows the country to engage externally. Data centres for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are all based on having access to Internet capabilities.
He stated that with the appropriate effort, Ghana and other African nations have the potential to emerge as significant hubs of global production by leveraging Artificial Intelligence, which represents the next frontier of innovation for productive applications.
He further remarked that the initiatives undertaken by Dr. Bawumia to establish the necessary foundations are commendable and deserving of recognition.
Prof. Sikanku’s publication explores Dr. Bawumia’s impact on the evolving role of the Vice President, emphasizing that Dr. Bawumia has significantly enhanced the productivity of the vice presidency through his enthusiasm, commitment, and dedication to social advancement via digital advocacy and applications.
Dr. Sikanku contends that Dr. Bawumia has transformed the vice presidency by increasing its visibility, demonstrating initiative, and passionately utilizing the office as a vehicle for innovation and social progress.
