Replicating the Knowledge Society in Ghana: A Qualitative Policy Review

Abstract

Knowledge has become a vital commodity to countries, businesses and individuals in the 21st century - age of the Knowledge-Based Economies (KBE). Tangible evidence suggests that knowledge and information are capable of helping nations to achieve developmental goals.

This paper begins with an in-depth analysis of three cardinal countries: United States, Malaysia and South Africa, of how they came to be known as both Knowledge Societies and emerging KBEs. The standings of these countries were then used to measure the knowledge economic status of a fourth country, Ghana, to determine the level and readiness in Ghana's drive towards a knowledge-based economy. The World Bank's Knowledge Assessment Methodology tools, Knowledge Economic Index, OECD parameters and Human Development Indexes were used to assess the various levels of these four countries. Results gathered from these analyses were used to do Gap Analysis to determine the gap between Ghana's knowledge indexes, revealing both strength and weaknesses in Ghana's knowledge indexes. These were used to do a K-SWOT analysis to determine her current strength, and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats that determine future progress towards knowledge-based economy. We conclude the study by suggesting policy recommendations for Ghana that could be implemented by the government and other stakeholders in formulating goals and aspirations of a knowledge society in Ghana.

Keywords: Knowledge economy, knowledge society, Ghana, South Africa, Malaysia, OECD, HDI, World Bank, Index, Policy