Ghana’s Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has unveiled an ambitious vision to transform the country into a digital hub and create jobs for the youth.
Speaking at the University of Professional Studies in Accra on Wednesday, he said he aims to train at least 200,000 youth per year on digital software skills, in collaboration with the private sector. This will amount to one million software developers in five years, who will have job opportunities worldwide.
He said his vision is to build a Digital Ghana, which will apply technology to improve key sectors of the economy such as agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and the financial sector.
He also said he wants to enhance the education system towards STEM, robotics, artificial intelligence, and vocational skills to cope with the demands of the fourth industrial revolution.
Dr Bawumia said he believes in the potential of the Ghanaian youth to excel in the global digital economy, citing the examples of students from Mamfe Girls and Prempeh College who won international robotic competitions against their peers in the US, Germany, and South Korea.
He said he wants to encourage Ghanaians to have a mindset of possibilities and not impossibilities, and to invigorate the can-do spirit of the nation.
He said his government will also introduce a growth mindset curriculum to help students build critical skills such as problem-solving, risk-taking, opportunity spotting, and design thinking.
Dr Bawumia’s vision has been welcomed by some experts and stakeholders in the technology sector, who say it is feasible and timely.
Mr Kwabena Agyei, the CEO of TechGhana, a leading software development company, said he is impressed by the Vice President’s plan and ready to partner with him to achieve it.
He said Ghana has a lot of talented and creative young people who need the right training, mentorship, and opportunities to showcase their skills and solve problems.
He said his company has been training and employing software developers for the past 10 years and has seen the positive impact they have made on various industries and sectors.
He said with the right policies, incentives, and infrastructure, Ghana can become a major player in the global digital market and create wealth and jobs for its citizens.
Ms Abena Asare, a software developer and a graduate of TechGhana, said she is excited by the Vice President’s vision and hopes to benefit from it.
She said she has always been passionate about technology and coding, and thanks to TechGhana, she has been able to pursue her dream and work on projects that make a difference.
She said she is currently working on a mobile app that helps farmers access information and services on their phones.
She said she believes that with more training and exposure, she can achieve more and contribute to the development of the country.
She said she hopes that the Vice President’s vision will inspire more young people, especially girls, to pursue careers in technology and innovation.
Dr. Bawumia’s vision is in line with the global trend of investing in digital skills and technology as a key driver of economic growth and social development.
According to the World Economic Forum, digital skills are among the most in-demand and highest-paying skills in the world and are expected to create millions of jobs in the next decade.
The forum also predicts that by 2025, 97 million new roles may emerge that are more adapted to the new division of labor between humans, machines, and algorithms.
Some countries, such as India, China, and Rwanda, have already taken steps to train and empower their youth with digital skills and create digital hubs and ecosystems.
Ghana, with its young and dynamic population, its stable democracy, and its strategic location, has the potential to join this league of digital leaders and pioneers.
With the Vice President’s vision and leadership, Ghana may soon become a shining example of how technology can transform a nation and improve the lives of its people.
Source: MyJoyOnline
