CONTINUES FROM YESTERDAY.
Being the text of a Keynote Address delivered by Ambassador Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu at the International Symposium on Digital Transformation and Public Service Delivery in Africa held at the University of Ibadan Business School on Thursday, March 30,2023.
8.2 Medical Records Management
AI can help to improve the management of medical records by organizing and analyzing large amounts of data quickly and accurately. This can improve patient outcomes by providing clinicians with the information they need to make informed decisions about patient care.
8.3 Telemedicine
It can be used to support telemedicine, allowing patients in remote or underserved areas to access medical care. AI-powered chatbots can also provide patients with personalized medical advice and support.
8.4 Disease Outbreak Management
AI can help to detect and track disease outbreaks, allowing health authorities to respond quickly and effectively. AI-powered models can also predict disease outbreaks, allowing authorities to take preventative measures to mitigate the spread of disease.
8.5 Public Health Monitoring
AI can be used to monitor public health trends, such as disease prevalence, vaccination rates and environmental factors that impact health. This can inform public health policies and interventions to improve population health.
8.6 Health Workforce Management
AI can help to optimize health workforce management by predicting healthcare worker demand, improving scheduling, and reducing staff burnout. This can improve the quality and availability of healthcare services.
9.0 Effect of Artificial Intelligence on Africa’s Economy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its Economic Outlook for October 2021, rated Africa as the world’s poorest continent. This was based on the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) rates. For Africa to change this narrative, it will need to employ Artificial Intelligence, which has the potential to significantly improve the continent’s economy in various ways, including increasing productivity, promoting innovation and improving access to markets.
9.1 Manufacturing
AI can improve manufacturing in Africa by enabling automation, which can increase productivity and reduce costs. AI-powered robots and other systems can automate repetitive tasks, resulting in higher production rates and lower labor costs.
9.2 Financial Services
AI can improve financial services in Africa by enabling more accurate and efficient risk assessments, fraud detection, and customer service. AI-powered systems can analyze data on customer behavior and financial transactions to identify patterns and predict risks, enabling financial institutions to make more informed decisions.
9.3 Research and Development
AI can enable new forms of research and development in Africa by providing tools and resources that were previously unavailable or inaccessible. AI-powered systems can analyze large datasets to identify new patterns and insights, as well as simulate complex systems to test new ideas and hypotheses.
9.4 Access to Information and Resources
AI can improve access to information and resources in Africa by providing online platforms that enable people to connect with one another and share knowledge and resources. AI-powered search engines and recommendation systems can help people find relevant information and resources more easily, regardless of where they are located.
9.5 Collaboration Across Borders
AI can facilitate collaboration across borders in Africa by enabling people to connect with one another and work together on shared challenges and opportunities. AI-powered platforms for collaboration can enable people to work together on projects and initiatives, regardless of their location or background.
9.6 Startups and Entrepreneurship
AI can support startups and entrepreneurship in Africa by providing tools and resources that can help entrepreneurs to develop new products and services, as well as identify new markets and opportunities. AI-powered analytics tools can help entrepreneurs to identify trends and patterns in consumer behavior and market data, as well as optimize their products and services for maximum impact.
I am of the strong opinion that by deploying Artificial Intelligence, African countries can create more business opportunities for their citizens, increase the capacity of the citizens to create wealth and improve the standard of living of the people.
10.0 What African Governments Need to do to Leverage Digital Transformation
Though African countries have been deploying digital technologies in different sectors, the impact has been minimal and the continent has not been able to ride on the back of digital transformation to significantly improve life and living on the continent for several reasons. To take advantage of the opportunities provided by digital transformation, African governments need to do the following.
- 1 Have a Mental Re-set About Public Service
Public servants have to understand that they are supposed to serve the public. This is an absolutely crucial starting point without which, any deployment of technology may not achieve its good purposes.
10.1.1 Good Governance
The desired mental reset cannot be achieved without imbibing the good governance culture by those at the helm of affairs in African countries because every success, or failure, revolves around the quality of the leadership that is provided.
Permit me, at this juncture, to dwell briefly on the concept of good governance.
In the words of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, “the aim of a good government is the welfare of the entire people under its jurisdiction.”
Mr Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of India also says, “…a government should work keeping in mind the welfare of future generations, not the next election.”
Together, these quotes are perhaps the simplest and most succinct definition of ‘good governance’ that I came across in the course of my research.
Good governance is a term used in literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources, governance beingthe process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented).
The concept of good governance centers on the responsibility of governments and governing bodies to meet the needs of the massesas opposed to select groups in society. Indeed, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted that “good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development”.It addresses issues such as public sector management, transparency and accountability, regulatory reform, and public sector skills and leadership.
Good governance assures that corruption is minimised, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. A good government is also one that is responsive to the present and future needs of society.
Despite the fact that good governance is sometimes considered to be a somewhat elusive objective, there is a definite consensus that Chief ỌbafẹmiAwolọwọ’s record, both in politics and in office, proves, on all counts mentioned above, that the concept may not be that elusive after all.
The point here is that when good governance becomes a national culture, public servants will indeed serve the people and work to meet the needs of the masses.
When good governance becomes a culture, public servants would uphold the Pillars of Public Service, which are efficiency and effectiveness, accountability and transparency, equity and fairness, professionalism and integrity, innovation and adaptability, citizen engagement and participation.
When good governance is adopted, public servants would observe the Kernel of Public Service, which is serving the public good.
When good governance principle is imbibed, public servants would apply the Golden Rule and strive to act with compassion, respect, and fairness towards the public they serve.
The effect of all these is that public service will be for public good. Then, and only then, will the deployment of digital technology be for the good of the masses.
10.2 Capacity Development
African countries need to develop capacity for digital transformation. This will require a multi-pronged approach that takes into account the unique challenges and opportunities of each country.
10.2.1 Need to Invest in Infrastructure
Digital transformation requires an educated and informed citizenry, as well as a reliable and robust infrastructure, including broadband internet, mobile networks, and electricity. Governments need to invest in infrastructure to ensure that people in remote areas have access to digital tools.
10.2.2 Building a Skilled Workforce
African countries need to invest in education and training programmes that build the skills needed for digital transformation. Governments can work with private sector partners to identify gaps in digital infrastructure and develop solutions to fill those gaps. African governments should promote digital literacy and digital skills development to ensure that citizens are equipped to take advantage of digital technologies. This can include investing in education and training programmes, supporting digital entrepreneurship, and promoting digital innovation. Governments also need to encourage innovation by providing incentives to startups, supporting incubators and accelerators, and creating regulatory frameworks that encourage competition.
10.2.3 Fostering Partnerships
African countries should also foster partnerships by encouraging collaboration between the public and private sectors to build capacity for digital transformation. They should also increase access to financing, a critical component of digital transformation. Governments can work with development banks and private sector partners to increase access to financing for startups and small businesses.
11.0 Conclusion
Part of the functions of an ivory tower is the generation of ideas that can transform a society. In line with that tradition, the Leicester Castle Business School at De Montfort University, in collaboration with the University of Ibadan, has put together this international symposium for the purpose of furnishing African countries with the required information to leverage digital transformation to improve public service for the purpose of adding value to the life of the average African.
I have no doubt that given the array of academics and professionals lined up for this symposium, the frontiers of knowledge would be extended at the end of this programme. I pray that African leaders avail themselves of the outcomes of this meeting to improve the lives of the people.
Too many Africans, mostly youths, mostly those that possess the critical skills that Africa needs to develop and take her rightful place in the world, are fleeing their home countries towards countries that appreciate their skills. African leaders need to take urgent steps to stem this tide.
The responsibility for ensuring that we have the right leadership across Africa that will create a properly-oriented public service complete with the ability to enunciate and implement appropriate policies, as well as deploy digital technology aimed at improving life and living on the continent rests on all of us.
I thank you all for your attention.
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