Government to upskill one million youth in digital proficiency – H.E Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has reiterated government’s commitment to empowering Ghana’s youth population, particularly by enhancing their competence with digital technology. According to him, one million youth will be trained and equipped with requisite skills to augment their potentials to contribute in the fourth industrial revolution.

This move intensifies the Vice President’s position on the matter of digitalization, that these skills are a key enabler for inclusion and the efficient use, adoption, and creation of digital technologies in Ghana’s growing economy.

The development is therefore envisioned to revolutionize key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing and finance by enabling Ghanaian youth to conduct business and collaborate remotely on both local and global markets, enhancing connectivity and economic growth.

The Vice President made this observation in a keynote address at the third annual National Youth Conference, organized by the National Youth Authority (NYA) on the occasion of International Youth Day 2024 at Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh, Central Region on Monday, August 12.

“We live in a world facing challenges like inequality, climate change, and social injustice,” he noted. “Despite these issues, I remain optimistic. Our youth in Ghana have shown remarkable enthusiasm for digital technologies, using them for entrepreneurship and innovation. However, gaps in digital literacy and limited opportunities still hinder their full participation in the digital economy.

“The government is therefore committed to closing these gaps and empowering the youth. Initiatives such as distributing 1.3 million free computer tablets to senior high school students and expanding telephony services under the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project are steps toward a more connected and digitally inclusive future.

“By prioritizing education and connectivity, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter, digitally-driven future for our nation.”

This year’s International Youth Day came off under the theme "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”, highlighting the significant connection between digitalization and accelerating the progress of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), seeing as 70% of the SDGs targets are influenced by digital technologies and data.

Young people, as “digital natives”, are at the forefront of adopting and innovating with new technologies, making them a crucial demographic in leveraging digital transformation for sustainable development.

Consequently, the National Youth Conference, organized in partnership with the United Nations (UN) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), convened over 2000 stakeholders from across the country, drawn from various youth-led groups, non-governmental organisations, academia and state institutions.

In his closing comments, the Vice President assured the celebrants that beyond digitalisation, government remains dedicated to advocating for youth rights and interests, supporting initiatives that promote youth development and empowerment, and strengthening partnerships to provide more opportunities for youth engagement and leadership.

"As leaders, it is our responsibility to empower, support, and amplify your voices by creating opportunities for participation, providing access to education and resources, and promoting an environment where our gallant youth can thrive."

The event also featured speeches and messages of solidarity from partner and invited institutions including the European Union (EU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Commonwealth Youth Council.