'Cultivate partnerships to address digital divide affecting Ghanaians' - Patricia Obo-Nai

Stakeholders in the digital industry have been urged to abandon the men­tality and embrace collaboration to drive meaningful digital transforma­tion.

Delivering the keynote at the opening ceremony of the 4th Ghana Digital and Innova­tion Week the Chief Executive of Telecel Ghana, Patricia Obo-Nai, said the future of innovation and digital transfor­mation in Ghana and across the continent depends on a united approach.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Innovate Together: Collaborat­ing for Digital Transformation and Impact’, she pointed out the necessity of cultivating partner­ships in addressing the digital divide that affects millions of Ghanaians.

“No single government or private sector entity can address this alone,” she stated, referring to the staggering statistics that show only half of the global population is connected to the internet.

“This requires partnership and collaboration. We must culti­vate an ecosystem where startups, corporations, governments, and non-profits work in concert rath­er than in isolation,” she stated.

Ms Obo-Nai’s keynote address set the tone for the three-day conference and exhibi­tion, which is organised to bring together industry leaders, policy­makers, innovators, tech students, start-ups and development agen­cies to discuss the latest trends and opportunities in the digital space, strengthen industry collab­orations and provide a platform for digital businesses to showcase their innovative products to the public.

Highlighting examples of collaboration, including the role of Telecel Ghana in connecting over 1,000 rural communities through a partnership with the government, she emphasised the power of breaking barriers and working together.

“Government provided the passive and radio infrastruc­ture, and we as a telco brought our spectrum and reach of our transmission. This collaboration has made a significant impact,” she added.

She referenced the recent statistics on mobile money trans­actions, which reached GH¢71.7 trillion in the first eight months of this year.

“The future of mobile money will be successful through partnerships and collaboration. The mobile financial service providers accelerated this growth because we opened up and chose to partner,” she explained.

Ms Obo-Nai encouraged digital industry stakeholders to leverage digital solutions in tack­ling local challenges in education, healthcare, and climate justice.

She reminded attendees that accelerating the vision of a digi­tal-savvy Ghana can only become reality when we pool ideas, share insights, and collaborate within and across sectors.

Organised by a consortium led by the National Entrepre­neurship and Innovation Pro­gramme, Ghana Hubs Network, and Impact Investing Ghana, other speakers at the opening event include the Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innova­tion, the UN Resident Coordi­nator, the Deputy British High Commissioner and Development Lead at the German Embassy, among others.