Minister Sam George calls for digital production shift at FEMITECH 2026 Conference

By:  Robert Kwaku Annor

Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has called for a structural reset of the country’s digital agenda, urging a transition from consumption to production as Ghana seeks to strengthen its position in the emerging Intelligence Age.

Delivering the keynote address at the fourth edition of the FEMITECH Conference held at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT in Accra, the minister outlined the government’s vision of a digitally empowered economy driven by innovation, job creation, enterprise growth and exports.

He described the conference theme, “Give to Gain,” as reflective of the government’s broader economic philosophy, noting that value creation in the digital era depends on strategic coordination and the ability to scale knowledge and innovation. According to him, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana is undergoing a deliberate transformation aimed at shifting from digital dependency to digital sovereignty.

The minister emphasised that the country’s digital transformation must place women at its core, stressing that inclusion is critical to national competitiveness. He noted that empowering women with access to capital, digital tools and innovation platforms would drive productivity, strengthen enterprises and support economic growth.

He also highlighted ongoing initiatives being implemented through GI-KACE, including small and medium enterprise digitisation programmes, incubation and acceleration frameworks, and the integration of artificial intelligence into business processes to enhance export readiness under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Addressing the pace of global technological change, the minister warned that artificial intelligence, automation and data governance are rapidly redefining global competitiveness and national sovereignty. He cautioned that Ghana risks remaining a consumer if it fails to develop its own digital systems, stressing the need for investment in digital public infrastructure, data governance and local AI capacity.

Samuel George further called for stronger coordination across sectors, linking agriculture, technology, trade, finance and youth enterprise to drive holistic development. He urged young women in technology to see themselves as central actors in shaping Ghana’s digital future.

In a welcome address, the Director-General of GI-KACE, Collins Yeboah-Afari, encouraged increased female participation in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to address the gender gap in the sector. He cited global data indicating that while women make up a significant portion of the STEM workforce, their representation in AI roles remains comparatively low.

He underscored the importance of building inclusive digital ecosystems, noting that technology continues to play a critical role across sectors including governance, healthcare, education, finance and national security. He added that the FEMITECH Conference serves as a platform to inspire, mentor and support women through collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The event brought together stakeholders from academia, industry and government, including Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Lucy Agyepong, Etta Mosore, Jada Badu, Margaret Ansei and Winifred Kotin.

The 2026 edition of the FEMITECH Conference was held simultaneously in multiple locations, including Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, Nkwanta South in the Oti Region, and Sunyani in the Bono Region, as part of efforts to expand access and participation across the country.