Ghana’s Communication Ministry has launched a USD 50 million fund to support digital skills development, foster innovation, and encourage tech-driven solutions across government programs.
The USD 50 million fund, sourced from the Fintech Development Fund, will be used to support startups through incubator and accelerator programs, helping businesses evolve from viable concepts to scalable enterprises. Minister Samuel Nartey George expressed his intent to institutionalize this ecosystem through an Act of Parliament, ensuring its longevity beyond his tenure.
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Minister George described the Ministry’s role as a key enabler of digital transformation across government, emphasizing that their behind-the-scenes contributions serve as the “wind in the sails” of other ministries, helping them scale through technology and data. For example, the Ministry supports the Ministry of Agriculture’s food resilience efforts by providing vital meteorological data, and collaborates broadly to digitalize and enhance other sectoral programs.
Minister George identified several areas ripe for collaboration, including the integration of digital skills training into national initiatives such as the One Million Coders program. He also highlighted the importance of promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in key sectors like agriculture and agro-processing. The adoption of emerging technologies, such as drones and data analytics, to improve productivity and operational efficiency remains a strategic focus.
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These remarks were made during a meeting with the African Council of Graduates, led by its CEO and Founder, Thamsanqa Maqubela. The delegation discussed potential partnerships to empower Ghanaian youth and graduates.
Looking beyond short-term initiatives, the Minister unveiled plans to establish a sustainable innovation ecosystem. The Council stressed the importance of preparing students for the digital economy even before graduation as a strategy to curb unemployment.
Minister George affirmed that this collaborative, tech-enabled approach is essential to drive economic growth, advance education, and improve the quality of life for all Ghanaians.
