The Ghana Digital Centres Limited, GDCL, led by its CEO Hon. Kwadjo Baah Agyemang on Thursday, 28th July, 2022 launched it’s 5th year anniversary celebration with an all inclusive Tertiary digital Innovation Programme, TDIP for students.
The Digital Centre has boosted job creation with a little over five thousand direct and indirect jobs created so far.
It has also enhanced the drive for knowledge-led socio-economic growth as well as Information, Communication Technology skills for self-sufficiency. With about fifteen thousand youth have acquired various forms of digital skills training.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Communication and Digitalization, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stated that the centre has played vital roles in the reformation of a digitalized economy.
“GDCL is one of the key government institutions in the Digital Transformation Agenda and its ability to provide the needed support for innovation is a critical factor in the success of the agenda,” she stated.
“It’s been 5 years since the Ghana Digital Centres limited was incorporated to manage existing and planned technology hubs and innovation centres to stimulate and grow the start up.
She also recalled on the massive infrastructural facelift undertaken under the Akufo-Addo led administration at the centre since it’s inception.
“From 12 Vacant structures not connected to electricity or the internet at the beginning of 2017, the GDCL is now fully equipped and operational. I remember my first visit to the centre and shock at seeing the vast empty rooms, leaking roofs, stained ceilings and other visible signs of deterior,” she said
“The Accra Digital initiative started during President Kufuor’s government. His government sowed the seed, President Mills-Mahama administration watered it and Akufo Addo-Bawumia administration is nurturing it,” she added.
Hon. Ursula Owusu, however, expressed gratitude to organisations and individuals who supported the centre through thick and thin.
She also urged other industry players to partner and support the worthy cause of the centre.
“To all who have supported the GDCL in this journey we say thank you and we look forward to more support from you. Special mention to the World Bank, MOCD, GIFEC, GIZ and Academia.
She continued,” We encourage the industry to also support the Centre; from the banking and financial services sector to the telecommunications and manufacturing etc.
“Work with GDCL to design and deliver tailored digital training for your staff as you increase your uptake of technology to enhance your own service delivery,” she said
The CEO of the Ghana Digital Centres Limited, GDCL, Hon. Kwadjo Baah Agyemang stated that the purpose of the Tertiary Digital Innovation Programmes, TDIP, is aimed at providing supports for tertiary students and recent graduates to grow technology training projects and research works into innovative start-ups and solutions that addresses national developmental challenges.
He also outlined measures and requirements put in place to ensure students benefit under the TDIP.
“The program will select graduates who are at the point of completion from the participating universities and have developed a concept for a technology start-up which they have desired to pursue with needed support.
“To be eligible for this program, participants must be final year students of the University of Ghana, KNUST, GTTU or Academic City University. Applicants must also have a concept that has a potential to contribute to the sustainable developmental goals and have two or three co-founders with a passion to develop their ideas.
“Successful applicants will be formally engaged by the centre to enable them develop their innovations during the mandatory National Service Period. Thereafter, innovators will be provided with additional six months of support to further assists with the development of their businesses,” he stressed.
To enable an inclusive and a diversified Programme, the CEO disclosed that allocations for female entrepreneurs have been made available.
“The programme will subject at least 30% female participation, that is championing the girls in ICT agenda by the communication minister with a support for all female-led team,” he said.
Hon. Kwadjo Baah Agyemang called on the support of cooperate entities, individuals and the general public to further push the initiative forward.
The Tertiary Digital Innovation Programmes, TDIP, which would help participants build viable business modules, product prototype, market testing and full launch plan is expected to run for 18 months.
By Nicholas Akussah
