In a startling disclosure during the flagship program ‘Ekosiisen’ on Assmpa FM, the Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, unveiled the distressing state inherited by the Accra Digital Center. Mrs. Owusu Ekuful unveiled that each of the 12 units within the center lacked furniture and essential connections to electricity and the internet.
Furthermore, it came to light that the furniture and computers initially used for the facility’s launch in 2016 were merely leased. The Accra Digital Center, envisioned as a vital hub for digital innovation and technological advancement, was expected to play a pivotal role in driving Ghana’s digital economy forward. However, it seems that the initial groundwork to realize this vision was severely lacking.
Minister Owusu Ekuful expressed her disappointment at the neglect of such a critical infrastructure, emphasizing that the absence of furniture and connectivity impeded progress and the effective utilization of the center. Without internet or electricity, the facility’s potential to foster digitalization and support emerging entrepreneurs in the technology sector remained untapped.
“We inherited an Accra Digital Center devoid of furnishings. None of the 12 units had furniture, electricity, or internet connectivity. In fact, the furniture and computers used for the facility’s launch in 2016 were all leased,” she remarked. Ursula highlighted the urgent measures the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government undertook to address these issues and restore the Accra Digital Center to its intended state.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promptly rectifying any other shortcomings. Efforts were underway to equip the center with appropriate furniture and establish reliable connections to electricity and the internet. These revelations have prompted questions about the previous administration’s management of the Accra Digital Center and its investments in digital infrastructure as a whole.
The utilization of leased furniture during the launch raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the facility. The lack of ownership of essential equipment casts doubts on the viability of the project, especially considering that leased furniture is not a sustainable solution in the long run.
With Ghana making significant strides in digital innovation and emerging as a technology hub in Africa, the dilapidated state of the Accra Digital Center not only represents a missed opportunity but also sends negative signals to the international tech community. The government’s swift action to rectify the situation not only salvaged the center’s reputation but also restored confidence in Ghana’s digitalization efforts.
Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu Ekuful’s revelations on Assmpa FM’s ‘Ekosiisen’ show have brought to light the neglect of the Accra Digital Center by the National Democratic Congress (NDC). It became imperative for the government to swiftly address the lack of furniture and connectivity to ensure that the center becomes a cornerstone of Ghana’s digital economy, providing the necessary infrastructure and support to drive technological innovation.
