The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, disputes giving credit to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the introduction of digitalization in Ghana.

According to Nketia, the roots of digitalization trace back to former President John Mahama, emphasizing Mahama's role as the Minister for Communication when the clamor for digitalization began.

In an interview on JoyNews' Personality Profile on December 15, Nketia asserted that the initiative to separate the ministry for post and telecommunication, creating opportunities for expansion in the telecommunication and ICT sector, happened under Mahama's leadership. He referred to Mahama as the "grandfather of this whole digitalization," highlighting Mahama's investments in laying ICT infrastructure.

“These two portfolios were separated because there was an opportunity for expansion in the telecommunication and the ICT sector. So John Dramani Mahama was actually the grandfather of this whole digitalisation – go and check the records and his investments in laying the infrastructure for ICT in this country,” he said.

Nketia emphasized the continuity of governance traditions, acknowledging the utilization of infrastructures by succeeding governments.

However, he criticized Bawumia's claim to ownership of digitalization in Ghana, asserting that Mahama, as the infrastructure creator, deserves credit.

Nketia clarified that true digitalization occurs when one person establishes the infrastructure, and another person utilizes it for a specific purpose. He argued that if Mahama, the infrastructure creator, is not in a position to utilize it, Bawumia should not claim ownership when building upon it.

Nketia questioned Bawumia's expertise in ICT and digitalization, asserting that Bawumia was brought into the economic fold not for his expertise in these areas but for his role in managing the economy.

Mr Nketia alleged that Bawumia's economic role under President Kufuor was responsible for the economic successes of that time.

However, Mr Nketia claimed that since Bawumia's assumption of the role, the economy has deteriorated.

He criticized Bawumia's handling of the E-levy, stating that Bawumia is now distancing himself from the policy, which was initially presented as a solution for generating funds to pay contractors and arrears.