By: Esther Aidoo
The government is expected to create 200,000 jobs that will generate 2 billion dollars by 2028 as part of Ghana’s digital exports. Speaking at the Mobex Africa Tech and Innovation conference, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mr Samuel Nartey George said these jobs in the digital space will position Ghana as West Africa’s digital hub.
According to him, we currently live in an era where digital capacity determines national competitiveness as well as an era where technological sovereignty shifts political power.
Africa according to Mr Samuel George can no longer afford to be a spectator in the digital space, but rather staunch architects, builders and owners of Africa’s digital future.
The conference by MOBEX he said is not merely timely, but urgent as Africa implements the African continental free trade area, integrate economies and seek to lift millions from poverty, digital infrastructure and innovation are not optional.
The minister indicated that Ghana, is pursuing an ambitious digital transformation agenda, which is anchored on the same pillars that guide the MOBEX conference, which are innovation, infrastructure, inclusion and impact.
The government is also currently training a number of Ghanaians across all 261 districts in coding, AI, data analytics etc to prepare them not for the job of today, but for the industries of tomorrow.
The country is also completing the Eastern corridor Fiber project by 2027 and extending broadband access nationwide, building the digital highways on which Africa’s digital economy will travel. Also speaking on the 2nd day of the 3 day event is a rail blazzer in internet connectivity across Africa, Professor Nii Narku Quaynor cautioned that before creating unachievable hopes, Ghana should learn the history of technology to understand it.
He added that digital innovators should not look for funding from the government, as it will take much longer, but look for the money from their customers.
Professor Nii Narku Quaynor noted that Africa has an obligation by the UN law of the sea to support access to the Sahel. Going by this he advised that Ghana should build a network, thinking the Pan-African way. According to him, there is a to employ a courageous and flexible enough approach concerning issues in the ever evolving digital terrain.
