The Founder and Managing Partner of The Songhai Group, Dr. Ohene-Aku Kwapong, has appealed to the Akuapem Technology Secretariat, organisers of the Akuapem Tech Summit 2026, to digitally connect all villages in Akuapem through a unified smart platform to drive inclusive development.
The appeal was made during a strategic engagement between Dr. Kwapong and the Akuapem Technology Secretariat as preparations intensify for the Akuapem Tech Summit 2026, which is being positioned as a flagship innovation and digital transformation platform for the Akuapem Traditional Area.
The Secretariat delegation included Ayeh Akuffo (Acting Chief Operations Director), Emmanuel Bekoe (Acting Director, Research, Media & Communications), Amb. Nana Aku Sika Okani (II) (Acting Director of Sponsorship and Partnerships), Dr. Godfred Aboagye (Acting Director of Technology and Innovation), and Kwaku Saforo (Acting Director of Monitoring and Evaluation).
Discussions focused on transforming the summit from a periodic event into a long-term “Silicon Ridge” innovation ecosystem anchored on technology, education, governance, and community-wide digital inclusion.
Dr. Kwapong stressed that the success of the Silicon Ridge concept depends on ensuring that every village is digitally visible and connected within a single integrated system.
“We must leverage technology to connect every village in Akuapem so that anyone can easily know what is happening in each community through a digital platform,” Dr. Ohene-Aku Kwapong said.
“It should reflect models like Switzerland, where even small villages are fully integrated into national systems and services such as hospitals, churches, and social amenities are equitably distributed and accessible.”
Dr. Kwapong also urged the Secretariat to deepen international collaboration as part of the Silicon Ridge framework, referencing ongoing engagements with global institutions, including MIT-linked programmes and technology strategy workshops.
He noted that such partnerships would be key to attracting global expertise, strengthening capacity building, and positioning Akuapem as a competitive innovation hub.
He further expressed readiness to support the Secretariat in coordinating strategic engagements and institutional partnerships to ensure the Tech Summit evolves into a sustained global innovation platform.
The Secretariat outlined parallel plans to deploy a comprehensive digital ecosystem platform integrating governance, agriculture, tourism, and community administration across Akuapem. The system is expected to improve administrative efficiency, strengthen revenue mobilisation, enhance agricultural monitoring, and provide real-time data access across all communities.
Dr. Godfred Aboagye, Acting Director of Technology and Innovation of the Secretariat, said the initiative is aimed at long-term transformation rather than a ceremonial programme. “This is not just about a summit; it is about building a living digital infrastructure for Akuapem,” he stated.
“The long-term objective is to ensure that every community is digitally connected, enabling transparency, coordination, and shared development intelligence across the traditional area.”
The Akuapem Tech Summit 2026 is scheduled for October 1, 2026, at the Peduase Valley Resort, and is expected to host about 1,000 in-person participants alongside a global virtual audience of policymakers, investors, academics, and technology leaders.
The Akuapem Technology Secretariat serves as the coordinating body responsible for planning, partnerships, and execution of the summit and its accompanying Silicon Ridge development programme.
