The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation in Ghana, on November 14, 2023, initiated the re/Start program at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE). With the support of the World Bank, this initiative aims to train 10,000 young individuals, including persons with disabilities, in digital skills and emerging technologies.
Dr. Collins Yeboah-Afari, Director-General of GI-KACE, stated that re/Start is a collaborative AWS digital skills program between Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) and the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation. The first phase of the initiative will provide training in ITIL, Data Analytics, Python, Data Science, Cybersecurity Operations, Microsoft Artificial Intelligence, and Amazon Web Services.
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The training will take place in various locations, including Accra, Sunyani, Kumasi, and Bolgatanga. Dr. Yeboah-Afari emphasized the urgency of equipping the youth and individuals with digital skills, citing estimates that 90% of future jobs will require some form of ICT skills. The initiative aims to prepare participants for the global job market and empower them to thrive in the global technology ecosystem.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, highlighted the crucial role of the re/START initiative in investing in the future of the youth. She emphasized its contribution to developing a stronger society and fostering a more competitive labor market.
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Alex Yaw Arphul, Chief Director of the Ministry, noted the ministry’s active promotion of entrepreneurship in the tech and STEM sectors, providing support, funding, and mentorship to young innovators and startups.
“We believe that fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem will not only create jobs but also stimulate innovation, thereby enhancing our competitiveness on the global stage. Through these endeavors, we aim to create a conducive environment for young Ghanaians to thrive, innovate, and contribute to the digital transformation of our nation”, he said.
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The Ghanaian government’s ICT capacity building organization is called the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE). Delivering globally benchmarked training, conducting fundamental technical research that results in innovations for Information Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) solutions, offering consulting services, and overseeing important networks and events for the IT community in Ghana and West Africa were all part of the core mandate of GI-KACE when it was founded 20 years ago.
