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 as*es 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.
Source: Ghanaweb.com
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There is nothing wrong with the Ghana post GPS. I use it daily Ghanaians are too something. I send my address to people and they drive to me and i also do same to people. We need some legislation so people use it we don't need any publicity biara Bright is talking too much of late ohh jack of all trade.
So far Google Map and Uber rely on Mahama's street address system for navigation.. and kofi Bentil thought he was a disgrace. That what I call knowing the Ghanaian problem and addressing it.. Bawumia is just pleasing the elite class like bentil and forgeting infustratures that help the lay men
This GPS thing doesn't even work on feature/non digital phones.. they should just paste house numbers on each house and stop this vague project.. too much American films killing our African realities and solutions
I think kofi Bentil us more concerned about Bawumia's reputation n getting the GPS whatever working for all Ghanaians to see the benefit f it
I think you should advise Bawumia to be smart rather. he just gets up to launch or deliver speech on anything at any ministry.
Looks like these politicians are the same every where, God save Ghana.
George Andam, get an Operations Research Professional to guide you in optimizing limited resources and stop demanding monies for same project. These so-called professional marketers should use scientific methods to reduce costs and or stay withing budgets
To answer your question : Is it incompetence or what??? Well its incompetence, arrogance and pride.
Massa, how much has barwumia paid you to do his bidding? You are always either praising or defending him. You don't even talk about nana addo. Are you not paid, by IMANI?