Eric Annan is the founder of the Blockchain Builders Association of Ghana (BBAG)
The Blockchain Manufacturers Association of Ghana (BBAG) has called on political parties and aspiring leaders to harness blockchain technology in Ghana.
According to the Association, blockchain technology, which is an advanced database mechanism that enables the transparent exchange of information across a business network, holds the keys to unlocking global financial tools and enabling agile young minds to create value without borders .
To this end, they have advocated for continued dialogue with stakeholders in Ghana to promote a deeper understanding and initiate the formulation of key policies, regulations and safeguards that will spark rapid innovation.
Speaking in an interview, BBAG founder Eric Annan said that in a world driven by innovation, daring to dream takes courage, a condition that underpinned the formation of the association.
Mr. Annan hinted that BBAG is a registered association that aims to position Ghana as a pioneering hub for the use of blockchain, development and nurturing of talent to address human needs.
According to him, although the political discourse surrounding blockchain technology remains minimal in the Ghanaian media, it is attracting significant attention in forums such as the United States Congress, the media and the global economy.
It is worth noting that Blackrock, the world’s largest fund manager, recently received a license to trade Bitcoin, with others such as Ethereum awaiting regulatory approvals.
He argued that a country like Ghana needs to leapfrog and position itself as the early adopter, shaping the narrative and driving progress in this transformative field.
For him, this transformative technology has empowered countless young Ghanaians to act as community managers, podcast hosts, developers, content writers, educators, marketers, ambassadors and more, enriching our society in countless ways.
He therefore appealed to the Ghanaian media to play a central role in promoting constructive content to educate society on the importance and potential of blockchain technology by promoting informed debate and awareness.
The BBAG founder is of the view that Africa stands to gain enormously from innovations such as Decentralized Identities (DID), Asset Realization (RWST) and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs).
Mr. Annan stated that to create an enabling environment, fend off malevolent actors and promote radical changes for the benefit of the Ghanaian economy, his outfit has aligned with other sister associations across Africa, the United States, India and beyond it.
He stated that BBAG’s mission is to lead the policy dialogue between stakeholders, regulators, consumers and protocol creators to dispel widespread misinformation about blockchain’s relevance beyond cryptocurrencies.
He cited other communities and member organizations such as Sovereign Frontier, Ayahq and Cryptority that have demonstrated measurable success in promoting blockchain technology in Ghana.
The BBAG boss therefore called on all stakeholders for an open commitment to share knowledge and insights to level the playing field and build a collaborative network of innovators, educators, policy makers and creators for positive change and progress in Ghana’s blockchain ecosystem.
Building on some success just under seven months after the association was formed, it hinted that over 100 young minds have been equipped with blockchain skills through intensive boot camps.
Others include hosting three major events in collaboration with global partners, including the Ethereum Foundation, the Base Decentralized Developer Meetup and the Stellar Foundation Ecosystem Meetup, all in Accra.
The association has further extended its efforts to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Garden City University College, with global infrastructure driven by optimism.