Education Minister warns Ghana’s digital future at risk without more ICT investment
By Samuella Antwi
The Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu has emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and innovation to address the challenges facing Ghana’s digital future.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 2, during a working visit by a delegation of Zimbabwean members of parliament on a fact-finding mission, Mr. Iddrisu acknowledged Ghana’s progress in the ICT sector but stressed that much remains to be done to ensure the country remains competitive in the digital age.
“The government and the president have allocated an equivalent of almost USD45 million for our national research fund. Our institutions are doing pretty well, but ICT connectivity is still not the best. We must get more connected and deploy more fiber and broadband. Internet connectivity and its usage are not at the level they should be,” the minister said.
Mr. Iddrisu further highlighted governance challenges that hamper the effective rollout of digital infrastructure, noting that these issues are not unique to Ghana but are prevalent across Africa.
The Zimbabwean delegation, led by Dr. Thokozani Khupe, underscored the importance of empowering youth through ICT and entrepreneurship as a key driver for regional development. Dr. Khupe emphasized that universities and innovation hubs must nurture job creators rather than job seekers.
“We want our students, upon graduation, to create jobs instead of searching for them. If a student has an idea, they should be given space in innovation hubs to develop their products and bring them to market,” Dr. Khupe said.
The visit by the Zimbabwean parliamentarians forms part of ongoing regional cooperation aimed at promoting innovation-led education and youth entrepreneurship across Africa. The exchange seeks to share best practices and foster collaboration in developing digital economies that can support sustainable growth.
