What Happened to the Ghana COVID-19 Tracker App? – ICT Experts Quiz

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On 15th of April, 2020 the Ministry of Communication launched the Ghana COVID-19 Tracker App. The main purpose of the app was to help with contact tracing and testing of suspected COVID-19 cases as part of measures to put the pandemic under control.

The launching of the app at a musical concert raised a lot of concerns since there were reports that about GH¢1.4 million was pumped into the project. A couple of days later the Communications Minister, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful announced to the public that there has been about 15000 downloads with some 100 persons traced for suspected cases. The app was hosted on a website since it was not yet live on the app stores but the Minister promised it will be available Playstore in the shortest possible time.

Meanwhile, the majority of the people who had downloaded the app insinuated that it is either a low-grade app or has some security issues. One young developer even described it as a “Banku App”.

After two weeks into the launching of the app, it seems no one is interested in it anymore including the Communications Ministry since they have not given a single update on how well the app is doing in tracking persons suspected to have been infected with the virus. There have been numerous discussions and press briefings on the pandemic by the Information Ministry but no one has given any details about the contribution of the app in the COVID-19 fight. Also, the app is not yet available at the Google Playstore as promised.

It appears the app didn’t serve it purpose and that taxpayers’ money has been wasted. I am calling on all well-meaning Ghanaians to add our voice in probing further into this critical issue.

Owusu Eric
(ICT Department, OBOSS)

Herbert Tetteh Anyanumeh (PRO Young Allies)

By: Radio1News|Ghana