World Bank approves $97m credit for Ghana’s eTransform project

The World Bank has approved a $97 million credit to support Ghana’s eTransform, a project that seeks to improve the efficiency and coverage of government service delivery using ICT.

The funds which were approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors on October 22, 2013 is set to boost Ghana’s use of ICT to improve digital identification system, health education and innovative eServices.

The project is aligned with the Ghana’s Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA) that seeks to contribute to higher growth and shared economic opportunities for the poor and to create jobs.

“Today’s project will promote the use of these innovative applications to effectively provide services and jobs, assist in targeting services to the most vulnerable in the society, improve lives, and make Ghana competitively placed to participate in the global digital economy,” Yusupha B. Crookes, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, said in a statement.

According to the Bank, the eTransform Ghana project will support policies, laws and institutional capacity that address issues such as cyber security, consumer protection, and data protection.

“Funds will also go towards the software and hardware necessary for developing cloud storage and a back-up facility that will be managed in partnership with the private sector,” it added.

It is expected that the eTransform project will improve the reach and efficiency of public and private service delivery through smart use of ICT.

By Ekow Quandzie