Is AI a threat to creatives? - Tech Arts and Soul EP. 2
Ghana's digital ecosystem week in review : Starlink- The Ghanaian context, Addressing Barriers To Digital Payments- MoF, Ashesi Computer Science Valedictorian, FDA's new online ad portal, AI & Ghana..
Digital Digest No. #1001011
Date: September 2 - September 7 2024
Dear Friends,
Happy new month!🎉
Here are the most important news, perspectives, analysis, and insights about the Ghanaian digital ecosystem from last week
Digital governance
News updates
Why The Idea of Ghana Going Into Crypto Mining Is A Bad One
Nana Kwame “Cheddar” Bediako, one of the most visible independent candidates in Ghana’s upcoming electoral election, presenting his 12 pillars of economic role, outlined plans for building more local data centers which would be used to help mine cryptocurrencies.
This op-ed explores why it may not be a great idea, especially in a country like Ghana.
Digital infrastructure and platforms
News updates
Exploring Starlink’s Internet Satellite In The Ghanaian Context
In Ghana’s internet space, companies like MTN and Telecel (formerly Vodafone) have been the dominant entities offering internet services to individuals, homes, and businesses but Starlink, Space X’s satellite internet service from billionaire Elon Musk, has been gaining popularity on the African continent since it first launched in Nigeria in 2023. So, is it worth switching from your internet service provider and getting Starlink internet?
This piece is a review of Starlink in Ghana.
FDA launches new online advertisement application portal
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has launched a new Online Advertisement Application Portal, designed to streamline the process of submitting, reviewing, and approving advertisements for FDA-regulated products. The system allows customers to submit advertisements, make payments, and receive approvals without physical visits.
Telecel Ghana launches 7th edition of SME Month
Digital finance
News updates
The Rise Of Virtual Banks: Revolutionizing The Future Of Banking
A virtual bank, also known as a direct bank, neobank, branchless bank, digital bank, or online bank, operates exclusively through digital platforms such as the web, email, mobile apps for check deposits, and ATM machines without physically setting foot in a physical banking hall. This piece explores virtual banks and how different they are from Mobile Banking and Digital Banking, their benefits and challenges.
Enhancing Financial Inclusion In The Digital Era – Addressing Barriers To Digital Payments
Recently, the Ministry of Finance in Ghana, in partnership with industry players in the financial sector, hosted the maiden Financial Inclusion Conference under the theme, ‘Accelerating Financial Inclusion in a Digital Era’. In this piece, the moderator of the panel discussion outlines the barriers to the adoption of digital financial payments including high cost of Internet access, Digital illiteracy and Digital divide.
Digital entrepreneurship
News updates
Fido Secures $30 Million Series B Round To Expand Its Credit Services To Individuals And MSMEs.
Fido, a digital lender operating in Ghana and Uganda, has raised $30 million in a Series B round to expand its financial services to individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).- $20 million equity investment from BlueOrchard and the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank FMO, alongside $10 million in debt funding from Stanbic Bank Ghana and Global Infrastructure Partners.
Ghana’s AI Revolution: Unlocking The Future Of Industry And Innovation
In this piece, Kodwo Amoa-Abban a lecturer at the Accra Technical University and an AI Platinum Trainer – ADCB and VTCG explains the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Ghana’s economic sectors. It discusses how AI can enhance agriculture, healthcare, education, finance, manufacturing, transportation, tourism, telecommunications, environmental management, and more.
Digital talents
News updates
Art Is Not Like A Roadside Pair Of Jeans: Is AI a threat to creatives? – Episode 2 Of The Tech, Art And Soul Podcast.
Join the conversation on the episode 2 of #techartandsoulpodcast on
Youtube or Stream on the following platforms:
Spotify , Deezer, Podcast Addict, Apple Podcast, Pocket Casts.
Road To The Ghana Digital Innovation Week – 2024
GDIW throughout September will hold a series of events in Tamale, Wa, Kumasi. Techiman, Koforidua and Takoradi to showcase the achievements and potentials of Ghana's digital innovation ecosystem. It's the road to the grand Ghana Digital Innovation week in October. Tap for details.
MEST Africa and Mastercard Foundation Hold 2024 EdTech Stakeholder Meeting
Accra, Ghana (Aligning EdTech Interventions with National Educational Goals) - Mastercard Foundation and MEST Africa have hosted an EdTech Stakeholder Event to source expert insights and recommendations from leading educators, innovators, and industry experts on the transformative power of technology in education that will provide a strategic framework for integrating technology into the national education system.
Meet The 2024 Computer Science Valedictorian of Ashesi
This year at Ashesi, Leanne Annor-Adjaye emerged as the Computer Science Valedictorian. She was also a co-recipient of the Best Thesis Capstone Award for an AI-driven capstone project, which focused on improving small business revenue. Meet her in this piece.
Opportunities
AmaliTech Ghana Ltd. seeks an experienced Senior DevOps Engineer or Senior Backend Developer (Java) to join their growing team.
Apply here : Senior DevOps Engineer
Senior Backend Developer (Java)
Events Alert!
DevFest is an annual decentralized tech conference hosted by Google Developer Groups across the globe. Its a platform for developers to connect locally; learn and build on Google’s tools.
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.
Please share us with your friends, co-workers, and tech enthusiasts in your network.
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! 🍻