The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) has overseen the graduation of 530 participants of its DigSMART Scale-Up training, themed “Fast track digitisation for service delivery,” as part of the government’s efforts to enhance digital skills in the public sector.
The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, delivered the keynote address, emphasising the critical need for public servants to be adept in using digital tools.
“We realised that digital competence was very crucial, which led to the launch of this program,” she stated.
The training, divided into three cohorts—leaders, managers, and officers—was launched in February 2024 with a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip participants with essential digital skills.
The second phase of DigSMART Scale-Up enrolled 830 participants from across the nation, however 530 ended up successful going through the intense weeks of training, highlighting the growing recognition of digital skills’ importance in public service.
Addressing the congregation on behalf of the Head of the Office of the Civil Service, Evans Aggrey-Darkoh (PhD), Chief Director, Eunice Osae, urged the graduates to apply their newly acquired skills to tackle practical issues in society. “Be the change makers,” she challenged them.
The program’s overall winning capstone project, the Sismec Project, and other notable initiatives like the online ticketing and registration system for the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, showcased innovative solutions aimed at promoting tourism and enhancing revenue generation.
Ghana’s dedication to digital transformation is evident in its top 10 ranking on the UN’s E-Government Development Index. The government’s focus on human capital and sustainable development goals, particularly goal four, led to the inception of DigSMART Scale-Up.
The program, a four-month journey toward genuine digital culture transformation, was supported by collaborative stakeholders including the Office of the Head of Civil Services, Ghana CARES, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), and GI-KACE.
In her closing remarks, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful urged all participants to utilise the skills they have acquired and build upon them, advocating continuous learning and adaptation in the digital age.
By: Ruth Sekyi – Digital Economy Magazine
