Google Introduces “Ga Maamli” – A new font Inspired By Handwritings In The Ga Community!
Ghana's digital ecosystem week in review: Innovate Africa's $2.5M Angel Fund for Early-Stage startups, Telecel Vs ATC, MEST moves it's HQ, Phase 2 Of Absa Fintech, Agritech Support Program & more.....
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Digital Digest No. #1000100
Date: July 8 - June 14 2024
Dear Friends,
Happy new week!🎉
Here are the most important news, perspectives, analysis, and insights about the Ghanaian digital ecosystem from last week.
Digital governance
News updates
Digital infrastructure and platforms
News updates
Elephant In The Room: Telecel Vs ATC, Who Is The Bully?
Recently, Ghana’s leading telecoms tower company, ATC Ghana, disconnected Telecel Ghana's equipment at some tower sites due to non-payment of electricity and fuel bills by Telecel. Telecel quickly responded, calling ATC’s allegations "utterly false" and hinting at legal action. This situation is reminiscent of 2022, when ATC unplugged Surfline and Busy Ghana despite larger debts owed by AirtelTigo and Vodafone.
In this piece, Techfocus24 went behind the two statements and dug deeper to find out what exactly led to ATC deciding to target Telecel Ghana for its unplugging move this time round.
Google Introduces “Ga Maamli” A Font Inspired By The Ga Community In Ghana
Google has released a new font called “Ga Maamli”. The font is inspired by handwritten event posters found in the vibrant coastal communities of Ga (Accra). The font was designed by 3 creatives - Afotey Clement Nii Odai, a creative designer, Ama Diaka, a storyteller and a community catalyst, and David Abbey-Thompson, a creative and Project director.
To contribute, see github.com/SorkinType/GaMaamli/.
Digital finance
News updates
Digital Transformation: The Imperative For Ghanaian Banks
This op-ed by MainOne, an Equinix company, a leading provider of communications and data centre solutions in West Africa, explores the need for Ghanaian banks and fintech companies to embrace digital transformation. Despite advancements, significant technological gaps remain in the financial services industry. The article underscores the necessity of leveraging cutting-edge technology such as the one provided by MainOne's MDXi Appolonia data centre to upgrade IT infrastructure, adopt cloud strategies, prioritizing data security, utilizing managed services, and forming strategic partnerships.
The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Modernizing Insurance
This piece explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in modernizing the insurance industry. It highlights how AI enhances underwriting accuracy and speed, streamlines claims processing, and improves customer experience through personalized interactions. Additionally, it discusses AI's effectiveness in detecting and preventing fraud, as well as its predictive capabilities for proactive risk management.
Digital entrepreneurship
News updates
MEST Ghana Announces New Relocation of Its HQ After 16 Years
The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) in Ghana after establishing itself in the East Legon area for the last 16 years, has announced that it is moving from its base in East Legon to a new location in Osu, to bring their entrepreneurs and startups to the bustling business community while working to establish their own campus in Osu.
Innovate Africa Launches with $2.5M Angel Fund for Early-Stage Africa-Focused Startups
Innovate Africa has launched with a $2.5 million angel fund to support early-stage African startups. Co-founded by Kristin Wilson and Christian Idiodi, the fund aims to support up to 20 startups in its first year, focusing on solving issues like insecurity, unemployment, and poverty through technology. It offers an average investment of $50,000 and provides a comprehensive support package including finance, governance, public relations, and strategy guidance. Innovate Africa's Product Leadership Accelerator helps startups refine their products and achieve market fit. Applications are open for founders across Africa who meet the six criteria for screening: Character, Credibility, Capacity, Courage, Competence and Context.
Interested founders can apply via https://innovateafricafund.com/
Absa Launches 2nd Phase Of Fintech, Agritech Support Programme
Absa Bank Ghana Limited, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, launched the second phase of the Absa Fintech and Agritech Support Programme. This initiative provides GH¢1 million in grants to ten agritech and fintech startups to address technical, operational, and financial challenges. Beneficiaries will receive capacity building from MEST Africa to enhance their entrepreneurial skills. Mrs. Audrey Abakah Director, SME, Agency Banking and Partnerships, Absa, encouraged innovative and technologically driven startups, especially women-owned fintech and agritech businesses as well as persons with disability to apply for the programme.
Digital talents
News updates
Government urged to support policies to boost e-learning initiatives
Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Shri Manish Gupta, speaking at KNUST E-Learning Week urged the government to support e-learning initiatives for economic transformation., emphasizing the need for infrastructure, funding, and regulation. Israeli Ambassador Shlomit Sufa highlighted potential collaborations between Israel and Ghana to enhance e-learning. French Embassy’s Dr. Diane Bramie stressed the importance of capacity building for teachers in online learning. The event featured workshops, a Tek Smartest Quiz competition, a meeting between teaching assistants, postgraduates and the Association of Commonwealth Universities delegation to explore opportunities, and an E-learning International Conference.
Mindcet Edtech CEO Calls For Shift In Educational System
CEO of MindCET EdTech Innovation Centre and Board of Directors member-Centre for Educational Technology in Israel, Avi Warshavski, is calling for a fundamental shift in Ghana’s education system from traditional models to more interactive and technological approaches that stimulate creativity and innovation. He highlights the need for critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability skills, noting the current challenges in Ghana's education sector, such as infrastructure deficits and a fragmented curriculum. Warshavski emphasizes leveraging technology, fostering learner agency asserting that startups in the EdTech sector are uniquely positioned to drive this educational transformation.
GHANA TECH ECOSYSTEM SURVEY
Code and Cocktails Africa recently launched a survey to map out the Ghana Tech Ecosystem with a focus on tech professionals. The survey covers demographics, tools, working conditions, and remuneration.
The survey focuses on 3 areas;
1. Engineering
2. Product
3. Sales & Marketing
Kindly take some 5 minutes of your time to complete the survey if work in the 3 areas fore mentioned. Tap here. Thanks!
Thanks for reading this week’s edition of the Accra Digital Digest.
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Send us an email at info@nodeeight.org if you have any news update, op-eds or events you would want us to feature.
Cheers! 🍻