The University of Ghana (UG) has announced plans to commence construction of an earmarked Digital Youth Village (DYV) project to champion talent development in the digital space.
The DYV, which is to be executed in partnership with the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation, when completed will be a centre for excellence in digital skills development at the highest level; and will host the best talents in the country annually for advanced training and tooling.
Speaking at the media launch of the Institution’s 75th Annual New Year School and Conference (ANYSC), Dean-School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE), Prof Olivia A.T.F. Kwapong, highlighted that the university has an outreach programme in the various regions unearthing talents in information communication technology (ICT); hence the DYV coming onstream will be a game-changer in further training the best from the regions to become well-refined national assets.
Minister of Communication and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, in her address mentioned that with the Internet of Things being the driver of global economies, the need to train graduates with digital entrepreneurial skills is a necessity.
She revealed that her ministry has so far secured funding for the project, while land for the project has also been provided by management of the university.
“Embracing people-centred technology, Ghana will continue to strengthen the education system, health care delivery, business and commerce, and promote our own culture while empowering citizens to face the future confidently – knowing that they possess all the requisite skills to thrive in the fourth industrial revolution,” she said.
Provost, College of Education, UG, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe on his part noted that the 75th edition of the New Year School, themed ‘Nurturing resilience: Adopting technology and embracing humanism for sustainable development’, aims to provide a platform where ideas and policies on national development can be shaped.
Key subject matters of focus include technology education, innovation, digital economy, youth development, and research and development among others.
Meanwhile, presenting the 2024 fiscal policy and budget statement on the floor of parliament a day after the launch event, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Attah touched on the DYV project; stating that government deems it an important initiative to drive digital entrepreneurship.
“The Digital Youth Village (DYV) is a key initiative of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and University of Ghana to promote digital entrepreneurship among the youth, and serves as a bridge between academia and industry. To date, the DYV project has completed the design, land allocation and site clearance, as well as securing an architect. Phase-one of the DYV project is expected to be completed before end-December 2024,” he said.
