Digital economy policy document in the works, says NITA boss

A Digital Economy Policy Document Communications and Digitalisation for adoption in a move that is expected to deepen the gains chalked in the digital transformation of the economy.

The Director General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Richard Okyere-Fosu, disclosed this at the 2023 edition of the Tech Job Fair organised by the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH) under the theme: ‘Leveraging technology to create inclusive and sustainable jobs.’

Mr. Okyere-Fosu stated that a critical element required for the success of the document and the wider digitalisation agenda is the development of the right kind of skills to support the country's digital economy and emerging technologies.

Making a clarion call for stakeholder collaboration in achieving this, he stressed the importance of developing the right calibre and number of professionals to support the digitalisation agenda.

His comments came at a time wheredigital economy – which is projected by the World Economic Forum

(WEF) to reach US$20.8 trillion by 2025, with the continent’s digital economy currently worth an estimated US$115 billion and is expected to hit US$712 billion by 2050.

Analysts are buoyed by the growth potential of the African digital economy, owing to huge gaps for exponential growth. Domestically, ICT has been the runaway growth leader in the economy for more than a decade, growing at 20.3 and propelling the Service sector, which is expected to contribute approximately 47 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between now and 2026.

The NITA DG, however, warned that digitalisation could come with managed well and the right structures are not put in place.

"When investors are considering investing in a country, some of the major factors they look out for are whether the country has the right human capital to support their investment. This means for our country to continue attracting the right kind of investors, we need to - oping professionals not only in their skill set but also in equipping them with the right work ethics. There should be a reliable framework for verifying these professionals," he added.

This sentiment was similarly shared by the Project Manager at the AFOS Foundation, Hannaed sponsorship for the fair.

According to her, the rapidly-expanding pool of local talent, coupled with the strong desire of young people to innovate and bring about lasting solutions to existing problems ensures the country will remain attractive to investors in technology training.

She added that with the fast pace at which technology is a need to and education these developments pants are not knowledge.

‘Training must the industry increasingly as well as being said.

On his part, Executive IIPGH, David which saw

By Eugene Davis

students in attendance – provides the most ideal platform for young persons to interact with key industry stakeholders, one which he believes will go a long way in minimising the unemployment burden.

“The role of guidance cannot be overemphasised as far as a career path is concerned and this is what we continue to achieve through the Tech Job Fair,” Mr. Gowu said, adding that that the last employment.

The national unemployment rate – as captured by the Annual Household and Expenditure Survey (AHIES) – accelerated to 13.9 percent in the second quarter of 2022.