Use technology to drive social change

Mobile technology could become a game-changer in Ghana’s socio-economic development, but there is a need to empower non-governmental organisations and development planners to include it in solving social problems, key speakers declared at Vodafone Ghana Foundation’s ‘Mobile for Good’ summit in Accra.

They were also quick to point out that major investments are required to make mobile technologies available for social improvement in a sustained manner.

“The creation of applications to transform society is one area in which we can compete anywhere in the world; it will enable us to have a global presence. However, we need to empower and support app developers,” said David Kwamena Bolton, Technical Director at Soft Tribe, a software developing company based in Accra.

Dorothy Gordon, Director General, Ghana India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence, called for the inclusion of women and people with disability in mobile solutions, since they belong to the vulnerable groups.

Though most participants agreed that mobile technology has a huge potential to enhance living standards, they urged telecommunication operators to support rural development and bridge the gap in the digital divide between rural and urban Ghana.

The Summit, the first of its kind by a telecom operator in Ghana, had over 200 attendees from development agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, business leaders, academia, App Developers and the media. It was on the theme “The Contributions of Mobile Technology to Ghana’s Socio-Economic Development”.

The Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana, Haris Broumidis, said; “The reason for a summit like this is to discuss innovation and how technology can improve the lives of Ghanaians. It is most importantly to look at how we can extend the application of technology in other fields and domains for the good of Ghana.”

He added that the summit was fully aligned to the Government of Ghana’s agenda to accelerate development in Ghana through ICT.

Board Member of Vodafone Ghana Foundation, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, said the Foundation is committed to supporting communities for improved living standards.

In 2013, Vodafone Ghana Foundation spent over GH₵2million on key projects aimed at delivering sustainable benefits to Ghanaians -- particularly in the health and education sectors.