Techno-optimism: Framing data and digital infrastructure for public acceptance in Ghana

Abstract

This paper examines public discourse on data and digital infrastructure in Ghana to understand how dominant actors are framing the conversation to galvanise support for the implementation of the technology in the country and its consequences. Using publicly available information on social media, this paper finds that the discourse is led by the government, contending with consistent optimism and iterations from an abstract idea of data positivism that data and digital infrastructure are prerequisites for the country's development. The government claims that building digital infrastructure would accelerate the digitalisation of the country to increase data flow. Hence, going digital with its immense data outcome would then become a means to fighting corruption, ensuring smooth and efficient governance and ensuring economic development. By carefully selecting and presenting these benefits of the technology to the public, the discourse goes unchallenged becoming the sole truth to which citizens have to believe.