Coronavirus: Why launch an app that can’t be used - Bright Simons wonders

Technologist and Vice President of policy think tank Imani Ghana Bright Simons has wondered why Ghana has launched a COVID-19 Tracker application when the application cannot be accessed or used.

Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia has launched an application (app), a COVID-19 Tracker, to help the country in tracking and tracing the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. The app, the Vice President noted will be very much helpful in Ghana’s fight against COVID-19.

But Mr Simons, a known expert in technology and founder of M-Pedigree, noted that Apple and Google, two companies that host apps that can reach Ghana’s population, have barred the use of such apps until they have reworked their systems.

“Government holds a virtual concert. To launch a covid-19 tracker app.

Yet, Apple and Google, virtually the only channels through which apps can reach the population, have made it clear that they won’t allow any covid apps for a while until they complete design, review and implementation of a “recognised entities” policy, which will lay out the guidelines for prequalified entities to publish carefully vetted apps through their app stores.

Of course, that they have their own app coming out for the covid-tracking has no small a part to play here.

So why would Government of Ghana hold a virtual concert to launch an app that can’t be accessed nor used?” He quizzed.

But Government has maintained that the application is currently available to android users( meaning the app is currently hosted by Google) for download while work is underway to make it available to other users( users of Apple phones and other brands).