According to Merriam-Webster, knowledge is defined as “the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association.” It is also defined as an “acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique.”
The Global Knowledge Index (GKI) came into existence with the aim “to introduce a more systematic understanding of knowledge by breaking down the concept into its constituent components, thus recognizing the multidimensional nature of knowledge systems in all contexts and applications relating to economic and social structures.”
According to the GKI report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), since its establishment in 2017, Covering 138 countries and 199 indicators, GKI
“is a summary measure for tracking the knowledge performance of countries at the level of seven areas, namely pre-university education, technical and vocational education and training, higher education, research, development and innovation, information and communications technology, economy, and the general enabling environment.”
Ghana’s performance
The 4th edition of the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) was recently published. At a time where knowledge is increasingly presenting itself as a source of development and prosperity, and at a time when the world is facing an unprecedented global health crisis.
Ghana was ranked 101st out of 138 countries in the Global Knowledge Index 2020.
According to the GKI, the position solidifies Ghana as a modest performer in terms of its knowledge infrastructure. By sectorial performances, Ghana was ranked 97th with a score value of 52.2 for the general enabling environment.
Ghana ranked 109th with a score value of 48.6 for Pre – University Education while it ranked 87th with a score value of 46.8 for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. With regards to Economy, Ghana ranked 116th while it ranked 88th in Information, Communications, and Technology. Ghana ranked 111th with the lowest value of 14.4 for Research Development and Innovation.
Global performance
Globally, Switzerland has been described as a leading performer in terms of its knowledge infrastructure and ranked number 1 on the Global Knowledge index 2020. The United States of America came in 2nd with the highest value of 92.3 for Technical and Vocational Education and Training while ranking with a score of 86.5 in Information & Communications Technology. Finland occupied the 3rd position, globally.
In Africa, Seychelles was the highest-ranked country being placed at the 50th position and 47th out of the 56 countries with very high human development. For Research Development and Innovation Seychelles scored the lowest value of 18.1 but the highest score value of 67.6 for Pre-University Education.
