THE CHIEF Executive Officer for the Ghana Digital Centres Limited (GDCL), Hon Kwadwo Baah Agyemang says his outfit was established to Champion the development and management of Technology Parks and Digital Centres across Ghana to promote ICT-driven Economic growth

He noted that it is also to provide world-class infrastructure and the enabling environment that will attract and retain ICT and IT-enabled Business Process Outsourcing companies to promote Entrepreneurship and Digital Job Creation for accelerated growth.

Addressing the 12th International Applied Research and Technology Fair in Techiman-Koforidua, Hon Agyemang said the centre is bent on using Technology to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through the provision of platforms for business incubation, business acceleration as well as digital research and development programs.

“My outfit is to provide access to relevant ICT solutions for various sectors of the economy to cater for Ghana’s fast-changing ICT needs, through partnership with the private sector”, Hon Agyemang stated.

Details

The purpose of this establishment, Hon Baah Agyemang said was to meet and implement the SGD’s 4,8,9 and 11 which are to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

He noted that GDCL is to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

The CEO also stated that another benchmark for SDG is to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

We intend to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Challenges 

Identifying some of the challenges, hon Baah Agyemang said lack of functional technology transfer offices in tertiary institutions was a cause.

He disclosed that the gap between industry and academia was too wide.

The CEO noted that Lack of access to funds was another issue.

But in spite of all these, the CEO said there was a unique opportunity hence the creation of tertiary digital innovation program (TDIP)

TDIP was designed to bridge the gap between academia and government to help curb unemployment deficit swallowing the country and create entrepreneurs after school.

The Tertiary Digital Innovation Program (TDIP), the CEO stated is a project of the Ghana  Digital Centre.

It aims to promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship by offering assistance to tertiary students and recent graduates.

The program is to grow tech-driven projects to encourage proliferation  of innovative solutions to address national developmental challenges.

“TDIP will enable tertiary students/recent graduates to apply the knowledge gained through their courses and learn from key business leaders for experiential learning in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem”, the CEO stated.

Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, 

Kumasi.