Ghana rises to 95th in 2013 WEF digital rankings
Ghana moves up two places in the 2013 digital rankings of the World Economic Forum (WEF) published today April 10, 2013, with an improved score of 3.51 out ten.
The 2013 Networked Readiness Index was part of this year’s edition of the Global Information Report of the WEF.
Ghana was ranked 95th in the 2013 edition, up from 97th in the 2012 Index where it had a score of 3.4.
The Networked Readiness Index, calculated by the WEF and INSEAD, ranked 144 economies based on their capacity to exploit the opportunities offered by the digital age. The ranking capacity is determined by the quality of the regulatory, business and innovation environments, the degree of preparedness, the actual usage of ICTs, as well as the societal and economic impacts of ICTs.
According to the Davos-based Forum, the assessment is based on a broad range of indicators from Internet access and adult literacy to mobile phone subscriptions and the availability of venture capital, adding that indicators such as patent applications and e-government services gauge the social and economic impact of digitization.
Ghana placed 64th with 3.95 score in the ICT environment and 101 with 3.89 score in ICT readiness.
In terms of ICT usage, the country scored 3.12 at 102nd while ICT impact on the country was ranked 100th with a score of 3.08.
On the African continent, eight countries were ahead of Ghana, they are Mauritius (55th with a score of 4.12), South Africa (at 70th with a score of 3.87), Seychelles (79th with a score of 3.80) and Egypt (80th with a score of 3.78).
The others are Cape Verde (81st with a score of 3.78), Rwanda (88th with a score of 3.68), Morocco (at 89th with a score of 3.64) and Kenya (92nd with a score of 3.54).
Globally, Finland toppled Sweden from the top spot. Singapore came in second and Sweden third.
The bottom three countries on the Index were Chad (142nd), Sierra Leone (143rd) and Burundi (144th).
The WEF report showed that digitization has a measurable effect on economic growth and job creation.
It says, “In emerging markets, a comprehensive digital boost could help lift over half a billion people out of poverty over the next decade. New technologies have already transformed sectors from healthcare to farming.”
The report noted lack of progress in bridging the new digital divide.
It also found out that most developing economies were still failing to create the conditions necessary to close the ICT-related competitiveness gap with advanced economies.
By Ekow Quandzie