Clement Apaak urges African leaders to boost digital infrastructure investment for technological independence
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Abas Apaak, has called on African leaders to increase investment in digital infrastructure to reduce reliance on foreign technology companies and enhance digital independence. Speaking at the eLearning Africa Conference in Accra on June 4, 2026, Apaak highlighted Africa's limited presence among global technology leaders, noting that out of the top ten, not one is African, with nine being American. He questioned the continent's basis for asserting independence if its digital communications still route through Europe and America. Apaak proposed that African governments commit 1-2% of their annual GDP to a fund for building continental digital infrastructure. He emphasized that this investment is crucial for Africa to benefit from advancements in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, ensuring that AI development reflects African realities and priorities. He also stressed the importance of developing local expertise and institutions to drive innovation, protect African history, culture, and value systems, and avoid dependence on external entities whose agendas may not align with Africa's interests.
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Must ReadDeputy Minister for Education, Clement Abas Apaak, emphasized that Africa needs to invest in its own digital infrastructure and expertise to achieve technological independence. Speaking at the eLearning Africa conference in Accra, he identified the lack of African-owned digital infrastructure as a major hurdle to the continent's technological ambitions. Apaak stressed the importance of mobilizing resources to build infrastructure and train experts to domesticate AI, thereby protecting African history, culture, and value systems. He cautioned that relying solely on external actors would prevent emerging technologies from reflecting African interests. The Deputy Minister also highlighted that ambitious digital transformation plans require adequate financial commitment from African governments. He questioned whether dependence on foreign technology companies would allow African countries genuine control over their digital future. Apaak proposed a continental funding mechanism, suggesting African governments commit 1-2% of their annual GDP to a fund for building continent-level digital infrastructure. This investment, he explained, would lay the groundwork for domesticating digital technology and artificial intelligence. He noted the global imbalance in the technology sector, pointing out that Africa has yet to produce a leading technology giant. Apaak urged African leaders to collectively mobilize resources to secure the continent's digital future.
The Lands Commission has congratulated Lic. Surv. Stephen Djaba and Assoc. Prof. Naa Dedei Tagoe on their elections to leadership roles within the International Federation of Surveyors FIG. Lic. Surv. Djaba was elected Vice President of FIG, and Assoc. Prof. Tagoe was elected Chair of FIG Commission 8 on Spatial Planning and Development. Both were nominated by the Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana LiSAG and their elections took place at the FIG General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa, from May 24 to May 29, 2026. The Lands Commission views these achievements as significant milestones for Ghana's surveying profession, reflecting the growing influence of LiSAG and the quality of leadership and technical excellence in Ghana's surveying and geospatial sector. The Chairperson of the Lands Commission, Dr. Wordsworth Odame Larbi, and Executive Secretary, Prof. Anthony Owusu-Ansah, highlighted that these elections demonstrate the competence and international stature of Ghana's surveying profession. They expressed the Commission's commitment to strengthening collaboration with FIG, particularly on land administration, spatial planning, land governance, and sustainable development. Both newly elected leaders thanked the Lands Commission, LiSAG, and the Ghanaian surveying community, pledging to promote Ghana's interests within FIG and advance professional development and international collaboration for Ghana and Africa.
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