The New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced plans to train over one million Ghanaian youth in IT skills in collaboration with the private sector to build a digital Ghana.
He said these skills, including software development, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI), would create job opportunities locally and internationally and open doors for Ghana’s youth to participate in the global digital economy.
According to the Vice President, his administration will commit to building Ghana’s digital talent for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
This investment in the youth, including school dropouts, will lay the foundation for a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of modern technology-driven industries.
Speaking recently, Dr. Bwaumia outlined an ambitious roadmap to establish Ghana as a world-class digital economy and stressed the vital role of digitalization in modern economies.
He pledged to leverage technology to fuel job creation, reduce the digital divide, and position Ghana as a technology hub for the African continent and emphasized the transformative potential of digitalization, citing global tech giants as prime examples of economic value creation.
He said, “Many people, including my opponent, do not fully understand the link between digitalization and the economy. But consider the value of companies like Uber ($163 billion), Airbnb ($85 billion), Spotify ($80 billion), Microsoft ($3 trillion), and Apple ($3.5 trillion).”
“These digital platforms have revolutionized their industries and created millions of jobs worldwide. My vision is for Ghana to harness similar opportunities by building a robust digital economy,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia shared his ambition to achieve near-universal internet penetration in Ghana, aiming for over 90% connectivity by the end of his term if elected. He argued Ghana can do even better compared to the internet access which has already doubled from 34% to 70% since 2016.
His goal, he said, is to make sure everyone in Ghana has access to affordable, high-speed internet because the future demands and it is possible to achieve.
To support long-term digital growth, Dr. Bawumia pledged to make STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), robotics, and AI education a focal point of Ghana’s educational system. His administration would introduce coding and robotics as standard subjects in senior high schools, preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow.
The Vice President also revealed plans to establish a National Open University in partnership with the private sector, focusing on ICT, TVET (technical and vocational education and training), and STEM.
“To truly prepare our children for the future, we must ensure that our education system reflects the needs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he emphasized.
Dr. Bawumia called for increased investment in Ghana’s telecoms industry, pledging to work closely with industry stakeholders to reduce high data costs, which goes against the very ethos of the digitalization journey.
He pledged to ensure swift allocation of spectrum and setting policy guidelines that support digital inclusion while minimizing investor uncertainty.
Dr. Bawumia laid out a plan to support innovation through venture funding, start-up grants, and industry-specific funds to further stimulate Ghana’s digital economy.
He promised his administration would launch a Fintech Fund with $100 million in seed capital, aimed at supporting Ghanaian fintech start-ups and driving the development of regional financial solutions.
“Our commitment is to foster high-tech entrepreneurship in Ghana by supporting start-ups in payments, financial services, and other high-tech fields. With the right funding and support, Ghanaian tech innovators can compete on the global stage,” he stated.
With his digital economy strategy, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has set forth a comprehensive plan to make Ghana a leader in Africa’s digital transformation by focusing on infrastructure, education, and innovation, he believes the country can achieve inclusive economic growth, create jobs, and provide Ghana’s youth with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.