Accra, Ghana//-IT Consortium, a leading Africa’s financial services technology (fintech) solutions provider, has called for the preservation of freedom of the press in the face of the growing digital tools in this new era.
The company’s call comes at a time when some big technology firms in the advanced economies want to limit and control the freedom of the press and that of people with some unfriendly digital tools and solutions.
However, interacting with some members of the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) at the company’s office in Accra as part of activities to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, Managing Director of the IT Consortium, Romeo Bugyei is against any attempt to limit and control the freedom of the press.
To this end, he said: “In this new era, that freedom must be preserved — even as the tools evolve”.
Strong quotes
Mr Bugyei quoted George Owen, a famous British author, and King Solomon of ancient Israel to buttress why the freedom of the press must be protected.
As George Orwell once said, “Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticise and oppose.”
And as King Solomon of ancient Israel in the Bible reminds us in Proverbs 11:1, “The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favour with him.” — a timely reminder that truth, fairness, and integrity must remain our standard, whether in markets, media, or machines, Mr Bugyei stated.
So, for him the visit to his company ahead of this year’s World Press Freedom Day which falls on May 3, 2025 every year “is more than a commemoration — it’s a conversation”. One that we hope will spark new ideas, challenge assumptions, and chart a way forward, the MD said.
— both timely and urgent
Touching on the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day- “Reporting in the Brave New World: Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”, Mr Bugyei described it as both timely and urgent.
“As a financial technology company, we operate at the cutting edge where finance, data, and digital innovation converge. We understand first-hand the power of information — how it moves markets, influences decision-making, and drives public trust”.
And we deeply respect the role journalists play in making that information accurate, accessible, and accountable”, he told the visiting economic and financial journalists.
AI transforming
On Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is transforming the landscape of financial reporting, media integrity, and news consumption, Mr Bugyei acknowledged that from algorithmic trading insights to automated news generation, the implications for financial journalism — and by extension, economic stability are profound.
“At IT Consortium, we are committed to innovation that brings value to our patrons, serves people, markets, and truth.
We believe in the power of partnerships with journalists, regulators, and innovators to ensure that technology, including AI, is used ethically and responsibly”, he assured.
Utilising and deploying
The Chief Technology Officer of the IT Consortium, Ebow Anamuah-Mensah taking the journalists through how the company is utilising and deploying AI, said AI plays a critical role in their business.
“AI helps in our operations, including data analysis, product development, recruitment screening, report generation, documentation, market research, and staff attendance”, he said.
Mr Anamuah-Mensah was quick to add that the company also applies AI in their products such as credit scoring, fraud detection, AI agents for insights, gate access, biometric, geographic and proximity, verification for attendance.
Latest Chango
He also used the occasion to explain how the company’s latest product, Chango, works.
It is helping to ensure transparency and accountability in group financial contributions and crowdfunding for various projects in Ghana and parts of Africa, Mr Anamuah-Mensah said.
IT Consortium is among the three Ghanaian Fintechs which designed and built Ghana governments digital services and payment platform, Ghana.gov. is making huge impacts on the financial and technology space in the country, he indicated.
Transactions in figures
It was revealed by Mr Anamuah-Mensah, IT Consortium processes over 5.6 million transactions for over 1.5 million customers using its platforms and transacting more than $400 million every single month.
He stated that the company is ISO 27001 certified, PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) certified.
It also holds an Enhanced Payment Service Provider license from the Bank of Ghana, the Fintech industry and the banking and financial services sector regulator.
Senior Engineer of the company, Jerry Agudogo took the journalists through some key AI tools including Belling cat, and AI assisted translation and transcription to enhance the journalists’ work.
UKGCC
Madam Joycelyne Ahiable, Communications Manager of the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), explained that since 2021, the UKGCC has been working closely with the media, especially through IFEJ, to facilitate relationships between them and their member companies.
“We have done this through webinars and company visits to commemorate World Press Freedom Day, an important day that celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom around the world”.
Later, Mr Romeo and other executives led the economic and financial journalists and some financials of the UKGCC, of which IT Consortium is a Platinum member, to visit the various departments of the company.
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report
Email: mk68008@gmail.com
