The University for Development Studies (UDS), in collaboration with the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), organized the Digitalization University Tour at the Dr. Andani Andan Auditorium on the Tamale Campus. Held under the theme “Embracing Ghana’s Digital Future,” the event brought together students, academics, and digitalization experts to explore the transformative potential of digital technologies in shaping Ghana’s socio-economic landscape.

In his opening address, Dr. Alhassan Musah, Dean of Students at UDS, underscored the critical role of digital transformation, emphasizing how the COVID-19 pandemic expedited its adoption globally. “To remain relevant in today’s fast-evolving digital world, every student must embrace digitalization, regardless of their academic discipline or level,” he remarked.

Dr. Abdul-Wahid Mohammad, Director of ICT at UDS, highlighted the profound impact of digitalization on industries, citing the banking sector as a prime example of its benefits. “Digitalization has revolutionized financial services, making transactions simpler and more accessible to the public,” he explained. He also outlined how UDS has integrated digital platforms for admissions, form purchases, and result management, while urging students to adopt a forward-thinking attitude to overcome the accompanying challenges.

Delivering an insightful keynote, Ing. Dr. Collins Yeboah-Afari, Director General of GI-KACE, outlined five foundational pillars for Ghana’s digital advancement: Networking, Digital Government, Digital Entrepreneurship, Data and Engineering Technologies, and Digital Skills. “Through collaborative efforts with the World Bank and other international bodies, we are democratizing access to digital education,” he stated. He further encouraged students to cultivate adaptability, continuous learning, resilience, networking, and leadership to tap into global opportunities, including remote work.

Dr. Augustine Blay, Executive Secretary to Ghana’s Vice President, affirmed the government’s commitment to developing a robust digital economy. He highlighted Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s initiatives, including the Citizen App, which enhances privacy and simplifies identification processes. “With over 18 million adults registered under the National Identification System, plans are in place to integrate schoolchildren into the system, ensuring early adoption of digital identities,” Dr. Blay revealed. He emphasized that these measures are designed to foster inclusivity and improve access to essential services.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Raphael Adu-Gyamfi commended the engaging discussions and urged participants to download the Citizen App. “This app is a game-changer in reducing corruption and promoting transparency,” he said. Prof. Adu-Gyamfi also highlighted the potential of digitalization to bridge socio-economic disparities, particularly benefiting marginalized communities.

The event served as a clarion call for students and stakeholders to embrace digitalization as a tool for transformation, positioning Ghana to thrive in the digital age.

Story by Hafsah Abubakar Bance (UDS Media)