By Sammy CRABBE
Businesses – Driving innovation in the One Square Mile
Businesses operating in the One Square Mile will serve as pioneers in Ghana’s digital economy. They must fully integrate digital tools to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer engagement. Key business-focused initiatives within the zone should include:
- Tech startups and incubators: Establishment of accelerators to nurture Ghanaian tech startups focused on AI, fintech, and digital health.
- Cloud computing and AI integration: Businesses must leverage AI-driven analytics and cloud-based services for efficiency and competitiveness.
- E-commerce and digital trade: The One Square Mile should be a hub for digital commerce, allowing businesses to trade seamlessly across Africa via AfCFTA.
Companies within this ecosystem will set the standard for digital transformation, demonstrating the economic benefits of a well-connected business environment.
Education, workforce readiness, and cultural transformation – preparing for digital expansion
A successful digital economy requires a workforce equipped with the right skills, but technical proficiency alone is not enough. Transforming Ghana into a global digital hub will require a fundamental shift in work culture, attitudes, and service delivery. Training a critical mass of workers to support the One Square Mile may take time, but we must start strategically. The One Square Mile must be a training ground for the future, integrating education and vocational training into its framework. However, the approach must go beyond traditional upskilling.
In my experience establishing ACS-BPS, Ghana’s first major data entry company, I found that hiring workers with existing skills did not necessarily lead to efficiency. Many employees brought ingrained work habits that were incompatible with the fast-paced, high-accuracy demands of global clients. This led to delays, inefficiencies, and cultural mismatches that affected productivity. Ultimately, we had to restructure our hiring strategy, prioritizing fresh high school graduates who had no prior experience.
We trained them from scratch, ensuring they not only met technical requirements – such as typing speed and accuracy – but also absorbed a work ethic suited to international business demands. Pairing experienced employees with newcomers fostered an environment of mentorship and accountability, creating a culture of continuous improvement. This model proved so effective that ACS-BPS outperformed established outsourcing hubs like India, solidifying Ghana’s credibility in the sector.
- Coding and STEM programmes: Establish technology-focused academies within the zone to train youth in programming, data science, and cybersecurity.
- Digital apprenticeships: Businesses should collaborate with universities to offer hands-on training, ensuring graduates are ready for the digital job market.
- Reskilling and upskilling initiatives: Mid-career professionals must have access to digital certification programmes to transition into tech-driven careers.
To rapidly develop the human capital required for the One Square Mile, Ghana must adopt a dual approach: investing in local talent while attracting highly skilled professionals from the diaspora and beyond. Just as Kwesi Nyantakyi revolutionized Ghanaian football by integrating second-generation Ghanaian players trained in European leagues, we can strategically attract African Americans, generations of Ghanaians abroad, and professionals who have gained global experience. These individuals bring not only technical expertise but also a cultural familiarity with the demands of international business and governance, helping to establish the standards required to attract multinational firms to the One Square Mile.
With the right incentives – including tax breaks, competitive salaries, and a conducive work environment – Ghana can position itself as an attractive destination for professionals seeking stability, a favourable climate, and a strong cultural connection. The rise of the far-right in the U.S. and Europe makes this an opportune moment to encourage skilled returnees, further strengthening Ghana’s human resource base and expediting our transition to a digital powerhouse.
A scalable model for national expansion
The key to success is scalability. Once the One Square Mile demonstrates its effectiveness, expansion should proceed in phases, extending the infrastructure and policies to other parts of Ghana. This approach ensures lessons learned from the pilot phase can be applied efficiently, reducing risks and maximizing impact.
In Part 2a, we will further examine the human capital requirements for Ghana’s digital economy, exploring how to balance local training with international expertise and discussing practical policies that will accelerate our transition to a global digital powerhouse.
>>>the writer is a PhD candidate specializing in blockchains and decentralized finance at the University of Bradford. He holds an MBA in International Marketing from the International University of Monaco. Sammy was the first president of the Ghana Business Outsourcing Association and developed Africa’s first data entry operation and Ghana’s first medical transcription company. He can be reached via [email protected]
