@pazunre@samgeorgegh Dr. Paul, love how you go at it. Youโre right about applying pressure to elected leaders to do the right thing. Iโm not sure that the constituents in Ghana know the rights we have towards our elected officials. More must be done to deepen our democratic system
@channelafrica1@TsepisoMakwetla The African Union has really let us down as Africa. Itโs been overrun by global powers who use it only to exploit the continents resources. Every country must now protect its citizens and take steps to prevent the death of democratic rule in Africa.
Dear @NITAGhana
The questions and answers provided in your response comes off a bit as a deflection of the main concerns.
Below are our concerns and would be very beneficial if answers can be provided. A twitter space wonโt be a bad idea for digital natives ๐.
1๏ธโฃ Article 46 states that no person shall be appointed as an Information and Communications Technology professional in a public or private institution unless certified by the Authority.
What specific national problem is this provision trying to solve that existing university degrees, industry certifications, and employer hiring standards have failed to solve?
2๏ธโฃ Under Article 46, why should a private startup hiring a software engineer require state certification before employment?
Does NITA believe private companies are incapable of assessing technical competence on their own?
3๏ธโฃ If a globally recognized engineer from companies like Google, Microsoft, or Amazon relocates to Ghana, would they legally be unable to work until certified by NITA?
4๏ธโฃ Article 46 gives NITA power to determine the criteria and procedure for certification.
Why does the Bill not define the minimum criteria directly in the legislation itself, considering the broad powers being granted?
5๏ธโฃ Can NITA point to any major digital economy such as Germany, United States, United Kingdom, Singapore etc. where all Information and Communications Technology professionals in both private and public sectors require mandatory government certification before employment?
6๏ธโฃ The Bill appears to centralize approval authority within NITA.
How does NITA plan to avoid creating a bottleneck where innovation moves at the speed of regulatory approval rather than the speed of technology?
7๏ธโฃ If a university student builds a small application, an artificial intelligence model, or an e-commerce website from their bedroom, at what point do they become subject to certification or regulatory approval under this Bill?
8๏ธโฃ The Bill introduces penalties including fines and possible imprisonment for non-compliance.
Why was a punitive approach chosen for a sector historically driven by openness, experimentation, and low barriers to entry?
9๏ธโฃ. Does NITA see software engineering as equivalent to professions like medicine or law where licensing protects life and safety?
If so, which categories of Information and Communications Technology work does NITA consider dangerous enough to justify state licensing?
๐ Could Article 46 unintentionally encourage companies to relocate talent, outsource development abroad, or avoid hiring locally certified professionals due to compliance uncertainty?
Has NITA conducted an economic impact assessment on innovation, startup growth, foreign investment, and youth employment?
@NITAGhana This will just stifle the growth in the IT sector. You can regulate the sector with policy, right infrastructure, and tools. The introduction of fees, charges, jail terms for non compliance will only dissuade people from remaining and investing in the sector
@KwesiHubert Interesting read. I believe citizens are in total support of any government which wants to protect jobs and regulate industry fairly, but at what cost? Law makers make take a second look at some sections of the bill so that talents are not restricted in the name of regulation.
But why do you have to kick and beat up another human being just for coming to your country? Do you expect citizens from those countries to also beat up your citizens and their children?
While African politicians that fail their people report South Africa to AU.
Immigrants face being dragged kicking and screaming while trying to use children as shields than go home decently...look at them
@Fentuo_ We should be asking you the journalists. I think bringing information to public attention is part of your job description. Should we expect an article or story about national team spending in the coming days?
@UmaruSanda Citizenship should be respected as the law enshrined in the constitution. Thereโs no light skinned or dark skinned definition for belonging. Only one people whoโs purpose is to move forward together