The Ghanaian Tech Space in 2012: What I expect
In 2012:
- I wish Ghana catches up with the rest of the tech world. It is currently steadily growing in the telecommunication space and I wish it gets better with more people taking interest in the space. The government will have to play a very vital role here to make things grow further.
- We will need easy access to the many innovative products produced by tech community. This will mean availability of hi speed internet, improved forms of ecommerce, APIs to the many mobile payment solutions by the telcos out there.
- This one will definitely happen: Ghanaian startups with business cases as opposed to just an idea which birthes websites and mobile apps.
- Expect more moves on mobile web and native apps, especially on android. rLG Communications Ltd has started making android phones for the local market which gives local mobile developers the opportunity to have their apps pre-installed before they are sold to the market. This is very good because it becomes very relevant to encourage the Ghanaian developer to take on android. Who knows rLG will start assembling iPhones in Ghana soon. Good job!!!
- More Election related websites and apps, we need them. Yes its 2012 and it’s the time to rehire or fire the country’s CEO. This is a very big opportunity for the tech community to start implementing all their ideas related to election monitoring. I will use this opportunity to introduce to you the hashtag for the Ghana elections -> #Ghanadecides or #ghdecides on twitter and G+. Talking of great ideas for the election, there’s already an app out there called BallotBank, a mobile web app which works on the browser of the phone.
- I see one or two more Tech Hubs / Spaces springing up before the year ends. It will be great to have the tech community have a space(s) they can be comfortable to nurture their entrepreneurial skills. Once we have this in place, Africa should be ready for us.
