Professor of Finance and Economist at the University of Ghana says the current digital infrastructure is incapable of competing with the level of digital transformation achieved by other countries in the sub-region.

According to Prof. Godfred A. Bokpin, the position of Ghana on the index shows that the country is lagging in becoming a digital economy.

"The digital infrastructure underlying all of these things and the necessary investments, we have not done that. 

"Our tertiary institutions are not equipped with the necessary lab and the digital infrastructure to scale up at the level others are doing. So there's enough room for improvement."

He said that there are two stages in the digitising and digitalisation process.

"The first level is almost where we are. Where we are converting physical documents data into digital format. The second level is leveraging on that to improve business competitiveness and generate additional cash flow. But, unfortunately, we're a bit behind.

"Even the African Union has recognised this under the African Continental Free Trade. But, so far, protocol one has been negotiated; trade in goods and services."

The second stage, he said, has to do with competition policy and intellectual property.

He stated that the relevance of digitisation, digital trade, and e-commerce was brought to light when the 13 extraordinary summit of heads of states and government decided to bring forward the second stage.

"For instance, as we speak right now, aided by Avism bank, headquartered in Egypt and Africa Central Banks, they have developed what we call the pan-African payment and settlement system, which is to link the African market. Wherever trade flows, payment is important."

Although some aspects of the economy are digital, he lauded Vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia for pushing this agenda. He respects the "perspective, energy, and dynamism" the Vice-President is attaching to this campaign.