… as IIPGH seeks enhanced professionalism
By Ebenezer Chike Adjei NJOKU
The government has confirmed its commitment to urgently review and synchronise the prevailing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) regulatory framework.
Speaking at the 8th anniversary and induction ceremony of the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH), Dr. Mark-Oliver Kevor, Acting Director-General of National Information Technology Agency (NITA), stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring high standards in the industry.
He argued that a fragmented and overlapping legislation impedes oversight and broad developments within the sector. “Our goal is to establish a clear legal and regulatory framework that fosters innovation, protects consumers, and enhances the credibility of ICT professionals in Ghana,” Dr. Kevor stated.
He pointed out that unlike other sectors with standardised accreditation acrossed, the ICT sector still has some blindspots, allowing self-claimed professionals to operate, a development he believes undermines the quality of services provided.
“Currently, anybody can just get up and say, ‘I am an ICT professional’, get into an organisation, including government organisations, take a contract, get a job, do a bad job, and then restart completely. That is the reason why we must care about the regulation of the ICT professional space,” he said.
Dr. Kevor outlined the government’s broader digital agenda, highlighting its commitment to revising legislation to create a more structured ICT ecosystem.
“Recognising this, the government is committed to a key review of the various acts—the NITA Act, the NCA Act, the Cybersecurity Act, the Interpretation Act, and all the relevant acts and legislative instruments to ensure the effective regulation of ICT-related services, including ICT professionals in Ghana.”
Beyond regulation, the government is expanding digital infrastructure to drive economic growth.
“The government is prioritising the expansion of broadband infrastructure, the development of regional ICT parks, and the transformation of GIFEC into the Digital Economy and Innovation Development Fund,” Dr. Kevor noted. He cited the planned expansion of the Dawa ICT Park into a “world-class innovation hub” as a crucial step toward making Ghana a technology leader in Africa.
Amplifying the government’s strategy, the Director of ICT at the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Samuel Antwi-Gyekyi highlighted the proposed US$50 million Fintech Growth Fund, an initiative designed to support digital entrepreneurs and advance the country’s leadership in digital finance and blockchain innovation.
A central pillar of the government’s digital strategy is job creation through ICT. “The government’s ambitious Digital Jobs Initiative aims to create 300,000 jobs in the ICT sector,” Dr. Antwi-Gyekyi, who was representing the sector minister, Samuel Nartey George added. He also referenced the One Million Coders Programme, dubbed ‘Code Up Ghana’, which seeks to equip young people with competitive digital skills.
Executive Director of IIPGH, Richard Kafui Amanfu also stressed the Institute’s desire to see enhanced legislation to drive professionalism.
He also reinforced the importance of digital literacy in economic transformation, noting that the quality of training would be a key differentiator between institutions that succeed under the rapidly evolving digital space. “Under our commitment to advancing digital literacy and professional development, IIPGH has successfully implemented impactful awareness and capacity-building programmes,” he explained.
He pointed to the organisation’s cybersecurity awareness initiatives and its internship programme, which connects young professionals with industry experience. The IIPGH has also prioritised inclusivity in ICT training. “Our Persons with Disabilities initiative underscores our dedication to inclusivity, ensuring that individuals, regardless of physical ability, can fully access and benefit from opportunities in the ICT sector,” Mr. Amanfu said.
The organisation has introduced coding lessons for autistic and physically challenged students, expanding access to digital skills training. The discussions at the event also highlighted the need to invest more in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.
ICT Chair at the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr. Stephane Nwolley, called attention to the gap between Ghana’s AI capabilities and global trends. “If Ghana will not take a stand, or Africa will not take a stand, it’s going to be a problem,” he said, noting that global powers are allocating massive resources to AI. “China has spent over US$150 billion in this space. The French president recently, three weeks ago, said they are spending over €109 billion. The European Union together is saying they are going to spend over US$50 billion in this space. How much is Ghana positioning?,” he quizzed.
Dr. Nwolley also stressed the need for AI solutions tailored to Ghana’s unique cultural and linguistic context. “We have certain biases, and [AI] does not have the nuances that we have here—our cultural nuance, our religious nuance, our traditional nuance, and how we behave and all that. It does not have that. That is what we have to our advantage, and we took our time to build that.”
Speakers at the event were unanimous in stating that government, industry, and academia must work together to drive Ghana’s digital transformation.
