Ing. Dr. Collins Yeboah-Afari, Director General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), has underscored the significance of the fully funded "eskills4jobs" initiative as a pivotal force for digital transformation in critical productive sectors.

In an interview on Asaase Radio, Dr. Yeboah-Afari described the "eskills4jobs" initiative as an integral component of the Ghana Digital Acceleration Project (GDAP), which aligns with the Government of Ghana’s ICT Policy.

The initiative aims to address the urgent demand for digital skills, particularly among marginalized communities.

“The program is designed not only to enhance employability but also to foster innovation and create quality job opportunities within the digital economy,” Dr. Yeboah-Afari stated.

He noted that the initiative will equip participants with essential digital skills such as data analysis, digital marketing, and cybersecurity operations, empowering the workforce to adapt to rapid technological changes.

A skilled workforce, he emphasized, can effectively utilize digital tools, leading to improved efficiency and productivity across various industries.

Dr. Yeboah-Afari, who holds multiple IT industry certifications, including Agile Certified Practitioner and ITIL v3, encouraged youth and women to seize this opportunity.

He asserted that the right skills enable employees to innovate and leverage new technologies, fostering a culture of creativity that can drive the development of new products and services.

Addressing the growing trend of data analytics in the market, Dr. Yeboah-Afari highlighted that training in this area allows businesses to make informed decisions based on real-time data, thereby enhancing overall strategy and operations.

The "eskills4jobs" initiative is set to commence on October 14, 2024, with training courses lasting between six weeks to three months, depending on the selected programs.

The first phase will include courses in Web Technology, Data Analytics with Power BI, Data Science, Graphic Design & Multimedia Technology, Microsoft AI, Cybersecurity Operations, Digital Marketing, AI for Office Productivity, and Blogging. Training locations will span across Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Volta, Bono, Northern, Upper East, Western North, Eastern, and Bono East regions.

Dr. Yeboah-Afari urged all Ghanaian youth to embrace the free opportunities presented by GI-KACE, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, and the World Bank.

“Let us join hands to expand and sustain skills for digital jobs and inclusion for the youth in Ghana,” he concluded.