The Nathan Quao Hall at the CLOGSAG auditorium in Accra came alive on September 13th, 2023, as policymakers, scholars, and practitioners gathered for a seminar titled, “Public Policy Practice in the Era of Digitalization – Critical Security and Safety Issues.” Organized by the Office of the Head of Civil Service in collaboration with Policy College, this event aimed to shed light on the security, safety, and economic aspects of implementing digitalization in public policy practice and also bring to the attention of stakeholders, their roles in making Digitalization a success.
Moderated by Ms. Kate Addo, The Acting Coordinating Director of the Public Affairs Department of Parliament, the seminar featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, providing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital transformation of public policy.
Keynote
A keynote address by Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekful, Honorable Minister for Communications and Digitalization, was scheduled for the event, but she was unable to attend in person. Instead, the Director General of NITA, Mr. Richard Okyere-Fosu, delivered the address on her behalf. The keynote address provided valuable insights into the government’s perspective on digitalization in public policy practice.
Digital Transformation & The Role of Public Servants
The seminar continued with a presentation by Ing G. J. Brocke, who discussed the vital role of public servants in the digital transformation. He emphasized how the adoption of digital technologies could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.
Cybersecurity & Safety Challenges in Public Policy Practice
Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako followed with a presentation on “Cybersecurity & Safety Challenges in Public Policy Practice.” Dr. Antwi-Boasiako also highlighted the increasing importance of safeguarding digital systems and data in an era of growing cyber threats. He underscored the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect public policy initiatives. He finally revealed to many participants, who did not know, about simply getting anti-viruses installed on their phones.
Powering the Digital Economy: Leveraging Digitalization for Efficiency & Resilience
The final presentation of the day was “Powering the Digital Economy: Leveraging Digitalization for Efficiency & Resilience,” by Mr. Franklin Asare. He discussed how digitalization could drive economic growth and resilience, particularly in developing nations like Ghana.
Following the presentations, attendees engaged in a lively panel discussion that explored the various dimensions of digitalization in public policy practice. The panelists, experts in the field, shared their experiences and thoughts on the challenges and opportunities presented by this transformative journey.
The seminar also featured an interactive question and answer session, allowing participants to seek clarification and delve deeper into the topics discussed.
Conclusion
In summary, this seminar served as a crucial platform for stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving digital landscape in public policy practice. It underscored the importance of addressing security, safety, and economic considerations in the process of digitalization. As digital technologies continue to reshape the way governments operate, events like these become essential in equipping decision-makers with the knowledge and insights necessary to navigate these challenges effectively.
