The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana CEO Network, Ernest Egyir, is entreating both the private and the public sectors to use technology to fight corruption.

According to him, such a move will help prevent loss of public funds and inefficiencies in the public and private sectors.

Speaking at the 6th Ghana CEO Summit, Mr. Egyir called for efficiency and quality of public services through the consolidation of digital innovation in Ghana to create better jobs and economic opportunities for businesses to operate.

"Resort to digitalisation in the operations of institutions; both private and public is one of the tested ways of eliminating corrupt practices and other activities that lead to loss of public funds. It is for this reason that the Ghana Digital Acceleration Project is a commendable step".

"Both private and public is one of the tested ways of eliminating corruption practices and other activities that lead to loss of public funds, improve on the quality of public services to create employment", he stated.

Appointment of CEOs must be based on competency

Reacting to report of losses made by State Owned Enterprises in 2020, Mr. Egyir called for immediate steps to improve economic and financial performance.

He explained that appointment of CEOs to state Institutions should be based on demonstrated competency and ability, instead of the usual political patronage.

"We cannot deny that a determining factor in the success or otherwise of these organisations is leadership. A second look must therefore be taken at the appointment of CEOs of state Institutions. We must appoint CEOs of state Institutions based on experience and competencies added.

Requirement of digital leadership for economic transformation cannot be underestimated

The 2022 CEOs summit was under the theme "Digital leadership for a digital economy, leading digital business and government transformation, a private-public sector CEO dialogue and Learning”.

“The requirement of digital leadership for economic transformation is one of that cannot be underestimated; as a result of which deliberations on the subject on platforms such as the Ghana CEO Summit must be hailed in its entirety. The digital leader is not necessarily a reference to a leader who is technologically savvy but rather, a leader who empowers and encourages participation from all. Digital leadership is the key to economic competitiveness and transformation in the 21^st century”, Mr. Egyiri pointed out.

He further said “there is no gainsaying that the efforts of the government of Ghana to digitize the economy are commendable; and in order to achieve holistic success, business leaders from both public and private sectors have a significant role to play. As business leaders, we should be able to propose bigger outlooks with regards to the best standards on economic management for economic development. The digital leader is also a transformational leader; whose role extends to contributing towards the creation of enabling policies and standards for the business environment as a whole.”

Continuing, Mr. Egyiri said the creation of a conducive environment for the conduct of business in Ghana will continue to remain a priority in deliberations on this platform, adding “the facilitative role of government in ensuring businesses thrive cannot be underestimated.”

It’s worrying Ghana fell in the Press Freedom Index

The CEO of the Ghana CEO Network also expressed worry about Ghana’s position in the 2022 Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters without Borders.

Ghana fell from its 30^th position in the global ranking in 2021 to the 60^th position in 2022.

“This development must be a grave concern to all, including members of corporate Ghana. The successes chalked by many businesses in the country can also be attributed to the independence enjoyed by the media as the fourth estate, and this independence must be protected at all times”, Mr. Egyiri stressed.

Panel discussions

There were CEO business case panel, where accomplished CEOs shared with participants the corporate strategies they employed to expand their business to continental and global levels, and the hurdles they had to overcome. The panel also discussed the glorious opportunities that the African continent holds for businesses and how to take advantage of these opportunities.

The Ministerial and public sector CEOs dialogue session also provided a platform for a much-needed dialogue between the public sector heads and the business community on ways to depend their strategic ties.

Another panel discussion was structured around resetting Ghana’s economy and the ease of doing business. This carefully selected panel accessed the current regulatory framework for businesses in Ghana and made proposals on how best the country could provide a more enabling environment for businesses to operate.

The Ghana healthcare plenary session also discussed transforming healthcare with software and Artificial Intelligence as a medical device and how businesses can use innovative technologies to tackle climate change and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, the Women CEO Leadership Network was launched as part of the panel discussion.

Over 500 CEO's, stakeholders and government officials were in attendance for the summit.

They included Ernestina Abeh, CEO of Enterprise Insurance; John Kofi Adomakoh, Managing Director of GCB Bank; Stefano Gallini, MD of GHACEM; Kwame Osei Prempeh, CEO of GOIL; Selorm Adadevoh; CEO of MTN  and Saiid Masri, CEO of Compu Ghana.

Others were Dr David Ofosu Dorte, Chairman of AB & David Africa; Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, CEO of Volta River Authority; Daniel Kojo Owusu, Country Manager of Deloitte Ghana; Dr Daniel McKorley; CEO of McDan; Amar Dee S. Hari, CEO of IMPC; Norkor Duah, CEO of Mullenlowe; Philip Owired, MD of Cal Bank, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison and his team of Deputy Governors and some heads of departments and Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, CEO of National Petroleum Authority.

The 6th Ghana CEO Summit theme was “Digital leadership for the digital economy: leading digital business and government transformation. A private-public sector CEO dialogue and learning.”