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University of Ghana (UG) Engages Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations on Strategic Collaboration

A delegation from the University of Ghana (UG) today visited the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations (MoCDTI) to explore collaborative opportunities in digital innovation, skills development and policy alignment.

Director of the Research and Innovation Directorate at the University of Ghana highlighted the University’s commitment to supporting national digital initiatives emphasizing the importance of aligning UG’s research and innovation efforts with governmental agendas in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and coding.

Professor Dodoo-Arhin noted that UG has been proactive in fostering innovation through hackathons and other programs aimed at enhancing the skillsets of young people. He expressed the University’s interest in the proposed Innovation and Startup Bill, aligning with UG’s strategic focus on innovation.

He therefore announced UG’s readiness to provide space, expertise and certification support for government-led training programs, including curriculum development and short courses under the coders’ initiative.

Samuel Nartey George (MP) Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, welcomed the UG delegation and expressed the Ministry’s openness to partnerships with academia.

He underscored the significance of academic input in shaping policies and announced the Ministry’s commitment to completing the Digital Youth Village within three months.

This facility, to be operated in collaboration with UG, will serve as a hub for training and innovation.

The Minister also revealed plans to replicate such centers across the country, integrating them into a broader ecosystem to support national innovation.

He discussed the expansion of the “One Million Coders” program to reskill and upskill Ghana’s workforce, emphasizing the role of universities in this initiative.

The Minister highlighted the Ministry’s intent to act as an enabler for technology adoption across various sectors, including agriculture and health, leveraging AI and other emerging technologies.

Further discussions included the formation of a steering committee to review and evaluate existing training programs, aiming to develop a unified national curriculum for technological skills, subject to approval by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

The meeting also touched on the upcoming AI design hackathon for persons with disabilities, scheduled for May, and the 19th International Conference on Advanced Materials (ICAM), to be hosted by UG in collaboration with the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) and the African Materials Research Society (AMRS).

Present at the meeting were Prof. Isaac Wiafe, Computer Science Department

Ms. Mammie N. Hutchful Nortey, Senior Research Development Officer

Mr. Leslie C. Kumahlor, Research Development Officer

Mrs. Irene Y. Ashiley, Assistant Registrar and Administrator, Research and Innovation Directorate.

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Strengthening Diplomatic Ties: US Ambassador meets Interior Minister

Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak received the Ambassador Virginia Palmer, US Ambassador to Ghana in his office in Accra.

The meeting, focused on strengthening bilateral ties and discussing mutual interests and officially inform the Minister of the end of her duty tour in Ghana.

Muntaka Mubarak outlined key areas of interest of the Ministry, and explored opportunities for continued collaboration.

The Minister also commended Amb. Palmer for her contributions to the Interior Ministry and its agencies, highlighting the progress made in U.S.-Ghana relations.

Amb. Virginia Palmer thanked the Minister for his support during her tenure in Ghana and assured him of the continuous support of the US government not just to the Interior Ministry but Ghana as a whole.

The discussions underscored the strong partnership between the Ghana and US with both sides expressing commitment to strengthening ties in areas of mutual benefit.

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Ministry of Health commends partners for supporting MahamaCares

The Ministry of Health has expressed its profound appreciation to Telecel Ghana, Alive Industries, East Cantonment Pharmacy, and KMI Energies for their generous contributions to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), an initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals living with chronic diseases across the country.

Telecel Ghana has pledged to support the initiative by equipping three (3) healthcare centers with HPV testing kits, digital colposcopes, and biopsy instruments.

The donation, which will also cover operational costs for these facilities over two years, is expected to enable the screening of at least 5,000 women in the first year, offering free diagnostic services to underserved communities.

Additionally, Alive Industries has donated ₵500,000.00, East Cantonment Pharmacy has contributed ₵50,000.00, and KMI Energies has supported the initiative with ₵5,000.00.

These contributions are expected to significantly strengthen the MahamaCares initiative and help expand its reach and impact nationwide.

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, praised the efforts of the contributing organizations and emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in improving national health outcomes.