“Who Builds Schools to Teach People How to Use WhatsApp?” – Bright Simons

According to JoyNews on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Vice President and Head of Research at IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has questioned the approach taken by some policymakers towards digital skills development, arguing that the government should focus on removing barriers that prevent ordinary Ghanaians from benefiting from technology.

Speaking at JoyNews’ Digital Economy Forum on AI and the Ghana Economy on Wednesday, October 21, Simons explained that many people had learned to use digital platforms through practical experience without needing formal training institutions. He cited applications such as WhatsApp, YouTube and digital mapping services as examples of technologies that people had adopted to improve their livelihoods.

His comments came during discussions about Ghana’s digital economy, the role of government in promoting innovation and the opportunities available to young people through technology.

Simons argued that people should not always have to depend on formal institutions to acquire basic digital skills. According to him, ordinary Ghanaians have demonstrated their ability to learn how to use technology independently when the opportunity is available.

He pointed to ride-hailing drivers and delivery workers who have learned to use digital maps and location services to find destinations, transport passengers and deliver goods. These individuals, he explained, developed practical skills through experience rather than attending specialised schools to learn how to operate the applications.

The IMANI Africa vice president used the examples to question the need for excessive government intervention in areas where people were already finding ways to adapt and benefit from technology.

“Who builds schools to teach people how to use WhatsApp? Who builds schools to teach influencers how to do YouTube influencing?” he asked.

Through the questions, Simons sought to highlight how people can develop valuable digital capabilities without necessarily requiring formal training programmes for every application or online activity.

He maintained that the government should consider whether its policies are helping people use technology more effectively or creating unnecessary obstacles that limit their opportunities.

According to him, digital platforms have created opportunities for many Ghanaians to earn income, establish businesses and reach wider audiences. However, he warned that poorly designed regulations could make it more difficult for people to benefit from these opportunities.

Simons recalled earlier proposals to introduce licensing requirements for ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Bolt. He said he had opposed those proposals because of concerns that the requirements could impose unnecessary obligations on businesses operating in the digital economy.

He also referred to discussions about licensing software developers in Ghana, arguing that policymakers must carefully examine the possible effects of such measures before introducing them.

For Simons, the central issue is not whether government should play a role in the digital economy, but whether its interventions genuinely help people and businesses grow. He believes policymakers should pay greater attention to removing bottlenecks that prevent individuals from using available technology productively.

His comments also contribute to the wider discussion about artificial intelligence and Ghana’s digital transformation. As the country considers investments in AI infrastructure and programmes to improve digital skills, questions remain about the most effective ways to prepare citizens for an increasingly technology-driven economy.

While formal education and specialised technical training remain important for advanced digital skills, Simons’ argument is that people should also be allowed to learn through practical experience without unnecessary regulatory restrictions.

He stressed that identifying such barriers should not be dismissed as an academic exercise, but should instead be recognised as a practical way of improving people’s economic opportunities.

The remarks are likely to contribute to ongoing discussions about how Ghana can create an environment that supports innovation, encourages entrepreneurship and allows citizens to benefit from emerging technologies.

For Simons, the priority should be to ensure that government policies enable people to take advantage of digital opportunities rather than make it unnecessarily difficult for them to do so.

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