Digital Skills Can Lead To Sustainable Jobs For Ghana’s Youth – Akim Oda MP

The Digital Skill Training Initiative, a program organized by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Oda Constituency in the Eastern Region, Mr. Alexander Akwasi Acquah.

Digital Training Project

The Digital Skills Training Project targets youth entrepreneurs, providing them with knowledge in basic ICT and tech-based platforms to aid their development within a growing digital environment, such as writing for social media, analytics, and sales.

The maiden edition of the two (2) weeks intensive training program “Digital Skill Training Program 2023”, started at the conference hall of Christina Akua Brago Diawuo Library and Technical Hub with lecturers from Ghana Digital Centers Limited, on Monday, 24th, July, 2023 and will end on August 4th, 2023.

The initiative starts with training in various modules, such as:

i. Basic introduction to Microsoft Windows, Office applications, Internet usage and social media.

ii. Intermediary: web development, Web design, Mobile App development, and graphic design.

iii. Advanced: Data Virtualization and Analytics, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity Ethical and cloud computing

The initiative is to train over 60 youth entrepreneurs and individuals, providing free digital skills training in person and online across the constituency.

Digital to create employment.

 

In an interview with the MyGhana Media Correspondent at the maiden edition of “Digital Skill Training Program 2023”, on Monday, July 24, 2023, the Akem Oda legislator, Mr. Alexander Akwasi Acquah, underscored the need to rope in the young population into the digital divide.

He insists that Digitization is also a way to ensure that employment is created for the teeming youth across Ghana.

Ghana has, for years, suffered from an unemployment problem. In 2021, the unemployment rate hit 4.70%, a 0.05% increase from 2020.

But the Vice Chairman of the Trade, Industry, and Tourism Committee in Parliament believes that equipping the youth with the requisite digital skills will be the panacea to this crisis.

“We share that belief that digital technology and digital skills provide a pathway towards creating sustainable jobs on the continent. We are all sold on that. We are working actively towards making sure that happens,” he said.

According to Hon. Akwasi Acquah, he knows that digital skills are vital to the growth of businesses and our economy.

“Digital skills can help SMEs and independent traders reach new customers and compete with larger companies. Businesses are also much more likely to employ people with strong digital skills”.

 

He also stated that it was great to hear about how local businesses and my constituents plan to use the skills learned from the Training program and to see first-hand the importance of improving digital skills.”

He commended partners and stakeholders, including the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization, Ghana Digital Center Limited, and Accra Digital Centre, for the success of the initiative, adding that several expert trainers had been produced.

He added that beneficiaries had the power to surf the web to enrich their knowledge while their visibility as entrepreneurs improved.

“I would like to urge all participants to capitalize on the skills acquired through this rare opportunity to enhance their businesses, employability, and lives in general for economic benefits.”

The Lawmaker also called on all the youth in his constituency to take part in the training because the world system has turned into ICT.

The trainees will receive certificates after the training.

 

 

On his part, the Head of IT Innovation at Ghana Digital Centers Limited, Bright Nsarko Arhin, assured that at the end of the training, the beneficiaries will be able to know how to use social media platforms to make money.

 

He said that the participants will be equipped with digital entrepreneurship skills and could utilize social media and other web-based platforms to explore opportunities within the expensive world market.

He advised the youth to take advantage of any digital skills they find themselves with.

Some of the beneficiaries who attended the first day shared stories of the training impact, with some getting the enlightenment to explore new entrepreneurial pathways, while others appreciated the knowledge acquired in cyber security.

 

 

They also expressed their gratitude to Hon. Alexander Akwasi for such a great initiative.

 

 

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