Ghana is at serious risk of losing its vital documents at the Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD) due to the lack of resources to manage the department.

Even in the age of information technology, regional offices of PRAAD don’t have enough computers to facilitate the management of electronic record keeping.

Acting Director of PRAAD, Felix Nyarko Ampong revealed this at a seminar organized by WASP, a leading IT service provider in West Africa on digital transformation plan.

The event held at the University of Ghana is to support Ghana’s five-year modernization plan with the focus on digitization of service and systems.

The Public Records and Archives Administration Act, 1997 (Act 535), established PRAAD with the mandate to effectively and efficiently manage public record in the country, however, Mr. Ampong said the lack of funding and logistics have undermined its envisaged role.

In spite of its neglect, he stated that, PRAAD continues to play a critical role in national development.

He cited how recently, records produced from PRAAD helped to avert a boundary dispute between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire over the Dzata Field, one of the country’s oil endowments, thus saving the nation substantial oil treasure to buttress his point.

Mr. Ampong, therefore, appealed to the donor community to lend its support, adding that the department would organise a donor conference in due course to raise funds to bail out PRAAD.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of WASP, Grant Webber underscored their dedication to ensure digital transformation in Ghana.

“WASP is dedicated to consistent and sustainable development in Africa and Ghana is leading the way with its modernization effort” he noted.

The WASP CEO said through innovative digital solutions and services, WASP provides a proven framework for digital transformation.

“We are proud to support the country’s initiative by helping both public and private organizations optimize operations, boost productively and keep cost low” Mr. Webber added.

For his part, Managing Director of Laserfiche International, Sean Tang said “since WASP became a Laserfiche reseller, the country has embraced digital transformation becoming one of West Africa’s leading technology partners”.

Executives of companies were schooled on the inextricable link between a digital plan, partners and solutions by information and digital transformation experts in the country.

Speakers included Dr. Musah Adams, President of the Archivists and Records Managers Association of Ghana (ARMAG), Felix N. Ampong, acting Director PRAAD, Denise Choi, business development lead at Laserfiche and Grant Webber, CEO of WASP.