Tano North Member of Parliament, Dr Gideon Boako, has highlighted the significant role digitalisation is playing in driving Ghana’s economic growth, shifting away from traditional revenue sources like cocoa, gold, and oil.
Contributing to the debate on the 2025 budget statement, Dr Boako pointed out that recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) shows an unprecedented shift in the country’s economic trajectory.
“Mr Speaker, throughout my formative years, I was taught that the backbone of Ghana’s economy was cocoa, gold, and later oil. For years, we struggled to find a way to properly diversify beyond these resources,” he noted.
According to Dr Boako, the GSS report indicates that in 2024, Ghana’s economy expanded by a record GHC1.2 trillion in nominal terms. Unlike in the past, this growth was not primarily fueled by traditional exports but by digital transactions, including data and SMS services.
“For the first time, the massive growth recorded in 2024 did not come from cocoa, gold, or oil but was driven by data and SMS transactions—that is, digitalisation,” he explained.
He described this shift as a turning point in Ghana’s economic development, underscoring the increasing influence of technology and digital services.
Dr Boako credited the digital transformation to the policies of the previous administration, particularly the efforts of former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
“Mr Speaker, digitalisation efforts championed by the former Vice President over the last eight years have significantly contributed to this economic growth, and he must be commended,” he stated.
His remarks emphasize the growing impact of digital infrastructure and technology in shaping Ghana’s future economy, marking a departure from reliance on natural resources.
