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.