The maiden consultative stakeholder meeting organized by the Northern Innovation Lab (NIL) successfully ended in Walewale on 23rd June 2020 with participants adopting a policy brief on six thematic areas.
The meeting which was anchored on the theme: The Role of Web Technology for Digital Transformation of the Local Economy.
Finance, Human Capital, Market, Media and Culture, Government and Regulation and Support were the areas stakeholders deliberated on pointing out challenges and proposing policy recommendation to improve the role of web technology and digitalization in the West Mamprusi Municipality.
FINANCE
Stakeholders were of the view that one challenge that confronts the municipality in relation finance was the high levels of illiteracy when it comes to web technology and its importance. A call was therefore made by stakeholders for the West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly to form partnerships for sensitization programs on web technology to be carried out within the municipality by organizations such as NIL who operate within the tech space.
Another challenge raised by stakeholders with regards to web technology is poor access to the internet in major parts of the municipality which comes with additional financial burden. Stakeholders urged the Municipal Assembly to collaborate with the various Internet Service Providers to ensure that Internet connectivity is made more accessible in all areas of the municipality.
HUMAN CAPITAL
Stakeholders were of the opinion that the cultural belief which suggest that some activities are meant for a particular gender has adversely affected the attitude of girls within the municipality towards ICT and web technology. To change this cultural belief, stakeholders called on the assembly, the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Civil Society Organizations to identify the communities within the municipality with such beliefs and engage them on the benefits and possibilities for females in ICT and web development.
One major concern was the lack of technological gadgets for schools in some parts of the municipality for teaching and learning. Stakeholders encouraged the West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly and GES to leverage on partnerships that can facilitate the provision of technological gadgets to schools for teaching and learning of ICT.
MARKET
The inability of entrepreneurs within the West Mamprusi Municipality to leverage on technology and the internet to increase sales has led to small market sizes for their businesses. Stakeholders were of the firm view that training on web technology for organized business groups and worker unions by tech hubs like NIL will go a long way to make the municipality attractive to investors and bridge the digital divide.
MEDIA & CULTURE
Lack of access to technological tools for the media in the municipality was one challenge that came to the fore. A call was made to the assembly to lobby for tax reliefs to be given to media owners in rural communities to enable them invest in digital tools and web technology.
Since the North East Region is one of the newly created regions, stakeholders appealed to Government through the assembly for the establishment of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) office in the region.
GOVERNMENT & REGULATION
Lack of basic IT skills for online marketing of products and services by businesses with the municipality was a major challenge in the area of trade and revenue to government. Stakeholders proposed that the NIL in partnership with the assembly can organize training for organized businesses groups under the supervision of the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI). This they believe will help government through the assembly know businesses that are profitable and the ones that need support. Stakeholders believe if this is done properly, government can generate more revenue through taxes.
SUPPORT
Youth in the municipality do not have enough knowledge on web technology. Stakeholders urged that assembly and NIL to collaborate to provide training on technological devices and the internet.
The Northern Innovation Lab applause the time and remarkable policy recommendations from stakeholders. The problem with this kind of engagements has always been the lack of effective implementation of such useful ideas. The NIL wishes to assure all stakeholders that it will continue to work with the West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly and all the relevant agencies for the implementation of this policy brief.
Source: Michael Sa-Ambo – African Post online
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Michael Sa-Ambo is a consummate writer who is passionate about development on the African continent. His area of interest is in current affairs, personal development and communication.
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