By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])
Ghana Knowledge and Skills Bank (GKSB), a comprehensive digital portal containing over 5 million online library archives, educational resources and tools, has been launched to transform digital learning nationwide.
Funded by the World Bank and supported by MTN, the portal is designed to be a repository of educational materials for all levels from basic school through tertiary education and vocational training.
As the second of its kind in Africa, following Egypt, this platform aims to provide inclusive and equitable quality education for all, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Four.
The portal
The portal is free to access, enabling users to sign up at no cost. It is a transformative educational tool with the potential to democratise learning and empower students nationwide and beyond.
It features career planning tools, exam preparation aids, and integrates both global and local educational resources. Students, regardless of their location, can access the same high-quality educational content – ensuring a level playing field between urban and rural learners.
The portal also enables publishers to upload books for a fee, enriching the resources available to students. By promoting self-learning and critical thinking, the GKSB equips students with essential skills for the future.
Ms. Deborah Asmah, co-founder of Npontu Technologies – the Ghanaian company behind the portal’s development – highlighted the GKSB’s wide scope; explaining that unlike conventional learning systems, it not only provides access to educational materials but also offers an interactive environment where students can practice extensively.
She emphasised that integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the platform is a game-changer, as it allows students to repeatedly request explanations and receive personalised guidance in their learning process.
Digital transformation
The Minister of Communication and Digitisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, in a speech described the initiative as a significant milestone in Ghana’s journey toward digital transformation in education.
She reiterated that integrating AI tools makes the GKSB portal one of the most advanced platforms on the continent, designed to provide interactive learning experiences, offline access and self-paced education for all students.
The minister also highlighted government’s broader commitment to digitalisation, noting that the GKSB is part of a wider effort to enhance connectivity across Ghana.
She urged students, teachers and parents to fully embrace the platform, emphasising that the portal is a tool to help bridge the educational divide between urban and rural areas.
Ensuring a competitive education system
Minister of Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, at the event, underscored a need to transform the country’s educational landscape to meet 21st century demands .
He stressed that students cannot be educated in outdated environments and still be expected to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The Ghana Knowledge and Skills Bank is central to this transformation, offering modern resources and tools to bridge the gap between traditional learning and contemporary skills development.
Dr. Adutwum is confident the portal will revolutionise learning and allow students to access lessons in various subjects, including the option to have difficult content explained in local languages.
He said AI integration on the portal will help students overcome language barriers and improve their understanding of complex topics, positioning Ghana as a leader in education innovation on the continent.
He lauded collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Communication and Digitisation, which has ensured that schools are connected digitally and offer advanced learning opportunities to students.
The portal can be accessed at https://gksb.gov.gh – and all stakeholders are encouraged to embrace this new era of learning to elevate educational outcomes.
