By Accra, Ghana – In a bid to strengthen Ghana’s digital transformation agenda, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, embarked on a strategic tour of technology companies on April 28, 2025. The weeklong visit, a first by any Communications Minister in Ghana, aimed to assess industry needs, foster innovation, and promote digital inclusion across the country.
George’s tour included stops at several tech firms, such as Complete Farmer, mPharma, IT Consortium, and Apps Mobile, where he engaged with industry leaders to understand their challenges and explore opportunities for collaboration. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide, a critical issue in a country where internet penetration stands at 68% but rural access remains limited (Ghana Statistical Service, 2024).
At Complete Farmer, an agricultural technology company, the Minister explored smart farming solutions designed to enhance productivity and ensure food security. He emphasized the need for farming materials in local languages to improve accessibility for rural farmers, noting that 52% of Ghanaians primarily speak indigenous languages (Ghana Statistical Service, 2021).
“We must ensure that technology speaks the language of our farmers,” George said, announcing plans to partner with Complete Farmer to help farmers increase profitability. This aligns with global trends, as apps like Krish-e in India have shown success by offering agricultural resources in multiple languages, making them accessible to diverse farming communities.
The Minister’s visit to mPharma, a leading healthcare technology firm, highlighted the role of tech in improving access to medicines. George pledged to facilitate strategic partnerships between mPharma, the Ministry of Health, and his own Ministry to scale the company’s operations nationwide. This move is timely, as only 58% of Ghanaians currently have access to essential health services (World Bank, 2023).
mPharma, a 2019 Skoll Award recipient, has been lauded for its innovative financing and inventory management solutions, which could significantly enhance healthcare delivery in Ghana if scaled effectively.
Further stops at IT Consortium and Apps Mobile reinforced the transformative power of digital solutions in driving economic growth and job creation. At IT Consortium, George engaged with experts on emerging technologies, while at Apps Mobile, he highlighted the potential of mobile technology to revolutionize sectors like education, agriculture, and healthcare. “Mobile technology is a game-changer,” he noted, reiterating his Ministry’s expanded mandate to support innovation and startups in the digital space.
Speaking to the media at the end of his tour, George praised the companies for their contributions to national development. “As a government, we’re committed to supporting their efforts and providing resources to help them thrive,” he said. “Today’s visits have given us valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in these sectors. We’ll work closely with these institutions to create an enabling environment for growth and development.”
The tour comes at a pivotal moment for Ghana, as the country seeks to achieve universal healthcare and sustainable development goals. Studies, such as one by the PMC on the quality of healthcare in Ghana, have identified quality of care as a major factor in the country’s failure to meet Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. George’s focus on tech-driven solutions in agriculture and healthcare could address these gaps, positioning Ghana as a leader in digital innovation in West Africa.
Komla Klutse, a journalist with MG News, reported on the Minister’s tour, emphasizing its significance for Ghana’s tech ecosystem. As the country continues to navigate challenges like data breaches—such as the recent MTN incident George’s Ministry is addressing—and the need for localized tech solutions, initiatives like this tour signal a promising step toward a more inclusive digital future.
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