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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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Cake Tekniks holds 59th graduation ceremony
About 30 students on Sunday graduated from the 59th graduation ceremony of Cake Tekniks International, a privately-owned modern cake designing and sugar craft school in Accra.
During the ceremony, all graduates were presented with certificates while 13 of them also received professional diploma.
The founder of Cake Tekniks International, Mrs Jane Addo, said her outfit was dedicated to providing world standard skills, knowledge and hands-on training necessary for one to succeed worldwide in the culinary industry.
She encouraged the students to embrace the opportunities, challenges and experiences, mindful of the fact that they are well-equipped.
“Hold your heads up while you build a goodwill between your clients and yourselves,” she added.
Mrs Addo said the school was passionate about fostering the culture of creativity, motivation and excellence with the belief that every student had the potential to make a lasting impact in the culinary world.
The founder and leader of QA Consult, Mr Johnson Opoku-Boateng, said graduation was a witness to the unveiling of talents, passion and hard work and testament to months of dedication and hands-on-learning.
He urged the graduands to ensure that their cakes were safe and good for human health and that their success would be dependent on how well they serve, create and grow.
The event also saw the exhibition of cakes and pastries by the students.
receiving her certificate
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
Debutant Bella Agyemang lauded for Box Office ‘Magic’
New producer, Bella Agyemang, has been hailed by Silverbird Cinemas and other industry players for her Box Office ‘Magic’ over the weekend.
Bella’s ‘Check In’ movie has received praise for being the first to sell at the cinemas this year.
Speaking to The Spectator, Sales and Marketing Lead at Silverbird Cinemas Ghana, Nana Kwame Obiri-Tete said, for a debutant, Bella Agyemang did fantastically well in her maiden premiere.
He said he was proud of Bella Agyemang’s effort in getting people to show up, adding that she engaged in a lot of marketing activities.
He said her marketing activations on the streets, coupled with other Public Relations endeavours, pointed in the right direction.
“With what she has done, it shows that Bella has a big future. You might have a good product, but if you fail to market it, you cannot get people to patronize. Bella put in a lot of work, which is why she was able to draw a lot of people to the premiere,” Obiri-Tetteh said.
Bella Agyemang, on her part, expressed appreciation to fellow actors, her team, media personalities and all stakeholders who supported her effort ahead of the premiere.
The much-awaited star-studded Ghanaian comedy movie ‘Check-In’ premiered at Silverbird Cinemas on April 12, 2025.
The movie tells a story of chaos and a blackout at a secluded hotel, and amidst these, a resourceful attendant must unravel hidden connections between guests and restore peace before secrets tear them apart.
The movie, produced by Bella Agyemang, featured Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD), Clemento Suarez, Jeneral Ntatia, Priscilla Opoku-Agyeman, Felicia Osei, Gideon Kojo Boakye, Clinton Odoi, Fiifi Jefferson Pratt, and Gabriel Hogan among others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
