The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD), Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP), has cut the sod for the construction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) Hub at the Ghana Digital Centers Limited (GDCL).
The event which is christened as PROJECT UBIA is a fully sponsored ICT hub project between the Government through the Ministry of Communications & Digitalisation and Scancom PLC (MTN Ghana). It is aimed at creating an enabling environment for ICT development as well as the transformation of Ghana’s Digital Agenda.
The project forms part of MTN Ghana’s 25th anniversary commitments and in line with the Ambition 2025 Strategy of leading digital solutions for Africa’s Programme.
This ICT hub will facilitate the paradigm shift needed to accelerate Ghana’s progress with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Currently, there are over 600 tech hubs forming the backbone of Africa’s tech ecosystem, largely supported by mobile operators and internet providers, due to their close involvement in the digital space.
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Like other countries, the ICT hub will be the venue for Ghana’s creative minds and innovators to explore and nurture ideas to address economic problems, provide technical support to startups, deepen digital literacy, especially among our young girls, broaden participation of women in ICT, encourage research and development and most importantly ensure Ghanaians embrace the full use of ICT.
The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation said the ICT hub, will complement Ghana Digital Centers Limited’s focus on a nationwide network of digital transformation centers and interventions nurturing new businesses.
“The Government believes that innovation is the hallmark of entrepreneurship and digital entrepreneurship provides huge opportunities for job creation and economic growth. Like the tech Hubs in the United States of America, Tel Aviv, Bangalore, Singapore, China, Dubai, Nigeria, and others, Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment that supports innovation, entrepreneurship, inclusion and digital transformation for development, she said.
Mrs Owusu-Ekuful explained that following the 3D walkthrough of the edifice, “I do not just see brick and mortar. I believe this edifice will significantly deepen Ghana’s current digital strides to reposition Ghana’s image within the Sub-region and the continent”.
The Minister expressed Government’s gratitude to the MTN Group and MTN Ghana leadership for the kind gesture. “I must say that your continuous commitment, partnerships and efforts to be at the frontier of championing digital innovations in Ghana is extremely commendable”.
CEO for MTN, Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh on his part said “Today marks the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise. Despite the current economic challenges our beloved country is going through, we remain committed to keeping our promise of being a partner to Ghana’s national development agenda and in particular in empowering our youth and future leaders of tomorrow”.
As a country, “we can only be relevant tomorrow, if we invest in the right initiatives today and this project promises significant and exceptional transformational potential”.
He revealed that the Ghana ICT Hub is a physical Infrastructure designed to provide 4,000 square meters of space with ancillary facilities and unique features. The whole project is scheduled to be completed in approximately 18 months from when construction begins.
When completed, the MTN Ghana CEO said the Ghana ICT Hub is expected to train over 200,000 youth with ICT and digital skills and generate more than 100,000 jobs within the first three years. The hub will be an ultra-modern office facility, providing office spaces and meeting venues for more than one Hundred (100) Tech companies that will incubate new ideas and innovations, driving the start-up buzz in the hub after completion, adding, the Ghana ICT Hub will also create an ICT ecosystem in the health, agriculture, and education sectors.
The CEO for the Ghana Digital Centers Limited (GDCL), Mr Kodwo Baah Agyekum stated that GDCL is proud to host the Ghana ICT Hub at the Ghana’s Premier Technology Park.
This project comes at a time GDCL is intensifying collaborations with key stakeholders to develop dedicated infrastructure for digital innovation whilst creating opportunities for jobs and accelerated growth of digital ventures.
We therefore believe that through the MTN/GOG ICT Hub, Ghana can create its first Unicorn.
