The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo has criticised Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s digitalisation drive.
He argues that the digitalisation agenda has failed to effectively address corruption in Ghana.
Speaking at a public lecture organised by the Coalition for Restoration (CFR) at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on February 28, Mr. Adongo emphasized the need for a more comprehensive digitalisation strategy that minimizes human intervention in public service delivery and enhances transparency.
He highlighted the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s commitment to implementing an advanced digitalisation system if elected, surpassing the current efforts led by Dr. Bawumia.
Mr Adongo expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s digitalisation agenda, describing it as limited to “stand-alone improvement tools” that have not adequately tackled corruption or improved efficiency in public service delivery.
“You said John Mahama was using manual rudimentary systems, and you have come to digitalise. If you have come to digitalised, shouldn’t you be better than John Mahama in corruption perception? Your best, 43 is John Mahama’s worst – 43,” he stated.
Mr. Adongo emphasized the transformative potential of digitalisation, defining it as the integration of digital technologies into various aspects of society and the economy.
He underscored its capacity to bolster security systems, drive economic growth, and spur innovation.
Drawing a distinction between the NDC’s proposed digitalisation framework and existing practices, Mr. Adongo envisioned a system comparable to European standards.
In this model, law enforcement personnel could access comprehensive public records seamlessly during routine stops, 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 digitalisation agenda.
Source: myjoyonline.com
