If anyone asks what are the hot topics which people are debating now, possibly one may get two answers. One, what would be the impact of the US-China trade war, which is seemingly getting bottomed out going by the declaration of both countries to phase out in a gradual manner and the other about the data protection. The coinage data privacy is heard mostly in the US, Europe, India and now in Ghana arguably the most digitized country in Africa.
It is reported that a special investigation by Ghana’s auditor general in 2018 found that the Electoral Commission (EC), the watch dog for holding elections and that way one of the most hallowed organizations in the country, sold voter data to an Accra-based software development company. To compound the matter further, that company subsequently sold to banks and insurance firms. Though the EC is stoutly denying the charges, the news had triggered an unprecedented concern about the data protection and a debate on privacy policies. In a country like Ghana, which is adjudged as much advanced in the digital space as compared to its counterparts in the continent, it is natural that such an alleged breach can trigger a nation-wide debate.
With the avowed objective of going paperless in the near future, one can very well fathom the digital advancement the country is making and the impact of the breach of data privacy among millions of its net users.
Use of digital platforms in the country is increasing manifold. Digitizing most business transactions and government services, tackling corruption and bringing citizens into the mainstream, the tech drive would have a major role to play. That is why some Ghanaians are concerned about the adverse effects of increased digital scrutiny. Undoubtedly, that forces the government to walk a fine line between serving citizens and policing freedom.
Ghana wants to tag electronically every home by early next year with GPS. That will make easier to tax people and provide them with services. Such facilities would be made available to high priced households and slums alike.
Services including granting permits, driving license, court records, hospitals, records etc will be digitized. Digital identification cards also will be distributed nationwide to individually recognize each citizen, which will also be linked to passports and other facilities. Block chain methodology will be used as the secure vehicle for these records.
All of this could streamline services and, if all goes according to plan, would hasten Ghana’s impressive growth trajectory. Ghana’s GDP grew 6.3% in 2018, partly as a result of strong democratic institutions and peaceful elections. The wide use of online transacti0ons could have significant benefits in safeguarding institutions and reducing corruption, according to analysts.
Today, unique mobile phone subscribers in Ghana number 19 million, a penetration rate of 67% – far above the average of 44% in sub-Saharan Africa, according to GSMA, a mobile industry trade body. The increasing consumer adoption of digital practices makes Ghana an ideal candidate for the elimination of paper services.
But the pertinent point is if data breach that too coming from the election commission itself how it can restore people’s faith in the centralized data.
