Digital Skills Development and Job Creation in Ghana: MTN Ghana’s ICT Hub Project.
MTN Ghana is set to take a huge step towards advancing Ghana’s digitalization agenda with the construction of the Ghana ICT Hub project. The telecom giant recently held a digital sod cutting event to officially announce the project, which is part of the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy focused on leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
The Ghana ICT Hub is a physical infrastructure that will provide 4,000 square meters of space with ancillary facilities and unique features. It is the first of its kind in the West Africa sub region and is designed to train over 200,000 people with ICT skills and generate over 100,000 jobs during the first three years post-completion.
It will also provide office spaces and meeting venues for over 100 tech start-ups and companies in a bid to serve as a catalyst for Ghana’s digitalization agenda. The project is scheduled to be completed in approximately 18 months from when construction begins.
The Ghana ICT Hub is part of the broader Ghana Innovation Hub project, which also includes the ‘Accra Innovation City’ Project and The Ghana Education Platform project. When completed, the Ghana ICT Hub will become the fulcrum of human capital and ICT skills development, accelerate Ghana’s ICT ecosystem, and facilitate job creation.
Speaking at the digital sod cutting ceremony, Board Chairman for MTN Ghana, Dr. Ishmael Yamson, highlighted the integral role digital innovation and telecommunications play in today’s world. He commended MTN for the critical role they have played in Ghana’s socio-economic development and called on other stakeholders to collectively help in building Ghana.
On his part, Selorm Adadevoh, CEO of MTN Ghana, said the establishment of the Ghana ICT Hub will power Ghana to be West Africa’s ICT leader through innovation and digital skills. The event was attended by government officials, including Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Hon. Ursula Owusu, CEO of Accra Digital Center, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, South African High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Grace Mason, Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, Member of Parliament for Okaikwei South, Hon. Dakoa Newman, Board Chairperson of the National Communications Authority Isaac Emil Osei-Bonsu Esq., Director-General of National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Richard Okyere Ofosu, and board members of the Ghana Digital Centres Limited, as well as a cross-section of MTN Executives and staff, media, and other stakeholders.
The Ghana ICT Hub project marks a significant milestone in MTN Ghana’s efforts to support Ghana’s digitalization agenda, which is aimed at creating jobs for the youth and facilitating the country’s socio-economic development. It is a step in the right direction towards positioning Ghana as a leading digital hub in the West African sub region.
