Bright Simons, vice-president in charge of research at IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, warned on Wednesday that licensing rules risk blocking everyday Ghanaians from making a living through digital platforms. Speaking at Joy News’ Digital Economy Forum on AI and the Ghana Economy, he said poorly designed regulations could obstruct opportunities in ride-hailing, food delivery, and online content creation.
“When you look at Uber and all the ride-sharing apps and all the e-commerce apps, a lot of the people that have benefited are ordinary people,” Simons said. He pointed out that many users have learned to use mapping services, find customers, and deliver food without formal training. Their experience, he argued, shows why policies should focus on removing barriers rather than adding them.
Simons recalled opposing proposals to impose licensing requirements and local government regulations on ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt. He also mentioned public backlash against proposed licenses for software developers in Ghana. He warned that new rules must be carefully considered for their impact on people’s ability to work.
“So we have to think about policy as also to include the things that remove barriers and bottlenecks for ordinary people,” he said. He added that governments often act as obstacles rather than enablers in these situations. “I’m a big believer in the fact that when it comes to those kinds of things, typically the government is an impediment rather than an enabler.”
Simons highlighted the digital skills ordinary people acquire through everyday tools. “Who builds schools to teach people how to use WhatsApp? Who builds schools to teach influencers how to do YouTube influencing?” he asked. Some content creators have gained significant recognition through skills learned outside formal education.
His remarks placed the practical effects of regulation at the centre of the debate. He insisted that supporting ordinary people means identifying and removing the restrictions that stand in their way. Simons rejected the idea that examining these barriers is an abstract policy discussion.
“Often they are impediments and bottlenecks in their way, and people like us who point them out should not be seen as discussing theory. It’s very practical,” he said.
Simons’ comments come as Ghana’s digital economy grows but faces regulatory challenges. Ride-hailing apps like Uber have helped many Ghanaians generate income with minimal training. Food delivery and online content creation similarly offer avenues for entrepreneurship. Yet, licensing proposals risk limiting these opportunities by imposing costs and red tape.
The debate over digital regulation in Ghana reflects broader tensions between innovation and control. Simons’ call to ease barriers for everyday earners highlights the need to balance oversight with flexibility. His focus on the real-world impact of rules rejects purely theoretical policy arguments in favour of practical outcomes for workers.
At the forum, Simons did not offer specific policy alternatives but stressed the importance of removing obstacles rather than creating new ones. His stance suggests the government should reconsider recent licensing proposals and assess their effects on ordinary digital workers.
The discussion on Ghana’s digital economy continues as platforms grow and regulatory frameworks evolve. Simons’ warning about government-imposed barriers adds urgency to the debate over how best to support the millions earning livelihoods through digital means.
According to Joy Online.
