Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia recently led a site inspection visit to the University of Ghana to review the progress of the Digital Youth Hub (DYH) project, a key initiative under the Ghana CARES programme.

The visit, which took place alongside the Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam; and the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful; showcased the government’s commitment to equipping Ghanaian youth with the digital skills needed for economic transformation.

The Digital Youth Hub, a collaboration between the University of Ghana, the Ministry of Finance (MoF), and the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD), is a major step toward nurturing the next generation of Ghanaian tech entrepreneurs.

The initiative is part of the broader Ghana CARES programme, designed to create sustainable economic opportunities, particularly for the youth.

Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, presenting an overview of the programme during the visit, emphasised the long-term impact of the hub.

He stated that construction of the Digital Youth Hub, which began in January 2024, would train one million digital entrepreneurs once completed, providing them with the skills to create profitable ventures and drive economic growth.

To support the management and operations of the hub, Dr. Amin Adam further announced the establishment of a $5 million endowment fund, which will ensure the sustainability of the project once construction is completed.

"Everything that is required to make it a complete village for the provision of skills for the youth of Ghana is ready, as His Excellency the Vice President said he has promised to train one million youth in digital skills, so this is the platform and the infrastructure that will help in the training of these youth," the finance minister said.

He noted that so far 55% of the work has been completed as of the end of September 2024.

“The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by early December 2024. The University of Ghana has allocated five acres of land for the project, with the possibility of an additional five acres for future expansion, including hostel facilities,” he added.

The architectural firm arc-AURA and construction company Mustek Engineering Limited are leading the efforts to ensure the hub is completed on schedule.

Minister for Communications and Digitalisation Ursula Owusu-Ekuful expressed her ministry’s full commitment to the timely completion of the hub.

She noted that the project is crucial for providing the necessary infrastructure to train Ghanaian youth in digital skills, aligning with the government's vision of empowering one million youth through the programme.

The Digital Youth Hub is envisioned as a dynamic and innovative space where young Ghanaian tech entrepreneurs can collaborate, create startups, and grow sustainable technology-based businesses.

Vice President Bawumia, in his remarks, reiterated that the hub would play a pivotal role in achieving the government’s objective of empowering young people through digital transformation.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, together with Professor Olivia Kwapong, were also present during the inspection, underscoring the university’s active role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.

The completion of the Digital Youth Hub is expected to enhance Ghana’s efforts to build a strong digital economy, driven by the energy and creativity of its youth.





AE