Isaac Adongo, the Ranking Member of Parliament's Finance Committee, has voiced criticism against Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia's digitalization efforts, arguing that they have failed to effectively address corruption in Ghana.
Speaking at a public lecture organized by the Coalition for Restoration (CFR) at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on February 28, Adongo emphasized the necessity for a more comprehensive digitalization strategy that reduces human intervention in public service delivery and enhances transparency.
Adongo highlighted the National Democratic Congress (NDC)'s commitment to implementing an advanced digitalization system if elected, surpassing the current efforts led by Dr. Bawumia. He expressed dissatisfaction with the government's digitalization agenda, characterizing it as limited to “stand-alone improvement tools” that have not adequately tackled corruption or improved efficiency in public service delivery.
Addressing the Vice President directly, Adongo questioned the efficacy of the digitalization drive, pointing out that corruption perception remains high despite the implementation of digital systems.
He emphasized the transformative potential of digitalization, describing it as the integration of digital technologies into various aspects of society and the economy. Adongo underscored its capacity to bolster security systems, drive economic growth, and spur innovation.
Drawing a distinction between the NDC's proposed digitalization framework and existing practices, Adongo envisioned a system comparable to European standards. He proposed that law enforcement personnel could access comprehensive public records seamlessly during routine stops, thereby enhancing efficiency and transparency.
The lecture aimed to critically assess Ghana's economic performance under the current administration while outlining the NDC's alternative solutions. These proposals are presented in anticipation of the 2024 general election, where the NDC seeks to secure victory and implement its envisioned digitalization agenda.