The Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, has lauded the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for his relentless efforts in driving the digitalisation agenda across various sectors of the Ghanaian economy.
“In an era where technology is reshaping governance and public service delivery, the National Service Authority has leveraged the Vice President’s digitalisation drive to improve its general operations, emerging as a beacon of innovation and efficiency. He said.
Addressing the media in Accra on Friday, Mr. Assibey Antwi highlighted the significant impact of the digitization initiatives spearheaded by the Vice President, particularly in the public sector, where it has led to the ‘cleansing’ and increased efficiency of the sector.
Impact of the Digitalization Initiative
According to the Director-General, the digitisation agenda, which forms a crucial part of the government’s broader vision for national development, has brought about transformative changes that are reshaping the landscape of public administration in Ghana.
He observed that introducing biometric systems, digital payment platforms, and the synchronisation of databases across government agencies have enhanced efficiency and rooted out longstanding issues of fraud and corruption.
“Dr Bawumia’s commitment to digitalising the public sector has been a game-changer. Mr Assibey Antwi remarked.
He stated that during a visit to the National Service Authority, Vice President Dr Bawumia commended the Authority for its impressive achievement through digitalization.
He encouraged other sectors to adopt digital transformation and utilize technology to drive development and enhance service delivery.
The NSA has also made significant advancements in data management through its Electronic School List Submissions initiative.
By developing ‘Flare’, a secure online platform that allows accredited institutions to submit school lists and connect with user agencies seeking skilled graduates for employment, the initiative has enhanced transparency and efficiency in managing class lists.
“It has mitigated issues such as data breaches and processing errors, while also providing educational institutions with the benefit of real-time processing updates and a streamlined submission process,” he stated.
“The Payment of Personnel Allowances via Ghana Pay initiative has further streamlined allowance disbursement. The Ghana Pay platform enables direct payments to personnel’s bank accounts, offering a more reliable and user-friendly alternative to the previously problematic Ezwich payment platform,” he outlined.
Regarding revenue, he said financial management has also been revolutionised with the introduction of seamless billing and the IGF Administration App. This app, he mentioned, integrates with the Ghana.GOV payment platform, automating invoicing and receipt generation while offering various payment options.
Impact on deployment
Mr Assibey Antwi further explained that the impact of the digitisation drive has been felt across various facets of national life, pointing out that the National Service Authority (NSA) had greatly benefited from the digitalisation agenda, particularly in the areas of personnel management and deployment.
Recounting the introduction of an online portal for the registration and deployment of national service personnel, he explained that it had significantly streamlined their operations, reduced delays, and minimised the human element in the allocation process.
Efficient Operations
The DG stated that the Authority has become more efficient in its operations due to digitalisation, adding that the online system has made it easier for personnel to register, select their preferred regions, and receive their postings without the usual bureaucratic hurdles.
This level of transparency and efficiency was previously unheard of, and it’s all due to the digital reforms championed by Dr Bawumia,” he recalled.
He emphasised that the benefits of digitisation extended beyond financial savings and operational efficiency as it had also enhanced transparency and accountability, fostering greater public trust in government institutions and therefore urged other sectors to embrace the digital transformation and leverage technology to drive development and improve service delivery.
Mr. Assibey Antwi called on Ghanaians to support the government’s digitisation agenda, recognising it as a critical tool for national development and expressed optimism that with continued investment in digital infrastructure and a commitment to innovation, Ghana was on the path to becoming a fully digitised economy, capable of competing on the global stage.
“The future is digital, and we must all embrace it. The Vice President has laid a solid foundation, and it is now up to all of us to build on it and ensure that Ghana reaps the full benefits of this digital revolution,” he indicated.
Some good examples of the benefits of Dr Bawumia’s digitalization agenda to the nation are the introduction of a single enhanced ID card (Ghana card) as an enabler and the advancement of DVLA operations through digitalization.
Others are the modernization of SSNIT operations through digitalization, revamping of STEM education and the coupled with the supply of electronic devices to students and teachers to promote effective teaching and learning at all levels of education among others.