Vice President of policy think tank, IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil has rebuked the Communications Ministry for their failed efforts to get the Ghana Post GPS app into usage but still demanding money for its publicity.
According to Mr. Bentil, the Communications Ministry is disappointing the Vice President because of their unwillingness to be innovative in getting things done right as the Vice President has received lots of backlash from his critics questioning the cost, uniqueness of the app and its use.
His comment follows reports that the ministry is demanding more money to market and publicise the GHC11m Ghana Post GPS app which was launched by President Akufo-Addo in 2017 and championed by Dr. Bawumia as a means to digitise and formalise the economy.
Deputy Communications Minister, George Andah, briefing the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications said the Ghana Post GPS app is integral in the national identification process, therefore, more money is needed to create the needed awareness.
“The ¢9.4 million being spent on the national digital property addressing system has taken care of marketing and publicity so far, however, government may have to spend some more money on marketing and publicity. This is to ensure that every Ghanaian everywhere knows about the Ghana GPS and can have their digital address,” he said.
Kofi Bentil enraged by the Minister’s comment said publicity isn’t needed to create awareness of the app but rather the ministry should focus on validation and getting the system into use.
“What you need is to do validation and get the system into use. No publicity is needed. Usage will create awareness!!! What are you doing with all the national service people? You can use Accra Digital Centre etc. Is it incompetence or what??? Get off your asses and do this already. You are disappointing VP Bawumia,” he said.
The software, Ghana Post GPS was launched in October last year by the President to host the digital addressing system in partial fulfilment of the government’s promise to formalize the Ghanaian economy.
The system, which digitally identifies all addresses in the country, received criticism from some people including former President John Mahama, who questioned the cost and uniqueness of the app.
The Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia jabbed Mr Mahama and critics saying the features of the app makes it more efficient and robust than what exists in the U.S. and U. K.
The app has come under criticism yet again, with North Tongu legislator, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, wanting to know if the “app is a technology intervention or publicity blitz.
In response, Mr Andah said the GHC3 million so far spent on marketing and publicity is inadequate considering campaign on various platforms have been running on various local languages.
“Indeed, this is the tip of the iceberg in marketing products. I have run campaigns for various global brands in Ghana and for the period of this campaign that was run for TV, radio, outdoor, online, for PR and creative development this amount is not outrageous,” he said.
Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Ghana