A delegation from the University of Ghana (UG) has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George to explore strategic collaboration in innovation and digital skills development.
The meeting, held at the minister’s office on April 16 at 3:30 p.m., was led by Professor David Dodoo-Arhin, Director (Research and Innovation) at the Research and Innovation Directorate (RID). He was accompanied by Professor Isaac Wiafe of the Computer Science Department, Mrs. Mammie Hutchful Nortey (Senior Research Development Officer, RID), Mr. Leslie Kumahlor (Research Development Officer, RID), and Mrs. Irene Ashiley (Assistant Registrar and Administrator, RID).
Strengthening Innovation Ecosystems
In his remarks, Prof. Dodoo-Arhin reaffirmed UG’s commitment to supporting national digital transformation efforts in alignment with national policy. In particular, the One Million Coders Programme which was recently announced by the Ministry. He highlighted the University’s expertise, infrastructure, and courses and curricular that align with the programme’s objectives.
He assured the Minister that UG stands ready to contribute technical support, curriculum development, certification, and training spaces to help scale government-led digital programmes. He also emphasized UG’s interest in the upcoming Innovation and Startup Bill, adding that the University’s existing innovation policy would facilitate effective integration with the national innovation ecosystem once the bill is passed.
Minister’s Vision for Digital Transformation
Hon. Samuel George outlined several strategic initiatives aimed at boosting digital literacy, youth empowerment, and the application of technology across key sectors. He stressed the urgent need to incorporate coding into mainstream education, emphasizing that every university graduate—regardless of their discipline—should possess a foundational understanding of information technology.
He described the One Million Coders initiative as more than a skills development effort—rather a national strategy to build digital capacity and prepare Ghanaians for the demands of the future. The Minister also shared plans to construct a national innovation hub, designed to bring academia and industry together and ensure coordinated efforts across the innovation landscape.
A key highlight of the meeting was the Minister’s commitment to completing the Digital Youth Village within the next three months. The Village, which will be operated in partnership with the University of Ghana, will serve as a hub for youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital skills training. He further revealed plans to replicate similar digital villages at universities and institutions across the country, creating an interconnected and collaborative innovation ecosystem.
UG’s Commitment to Research and Emerging Technologies
Professor Isaac Wiafe shed light on UG’s growing work in computational learning and artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on developing technologies that are inclusive and locally relevant. He mentioned ongoing collaborations with Google aimed at translating AI systems into Ghanaian languages, noting that while datasets are already available, further computational power is needed to advance the work. He stressed the importance of building early computational thinking skills among students, as they form the foundation for success in tech-related fields.
In response, the Minister acknowledged these efforts and referenced similar work being carried out by a Swiss technology company. He shared his suggestion for a focus on languages spoken in the agricultural belt, such as Bono and also underscored the need for consolidated efforts among government, academia, and the private sector to build large language models and scalable AI tools for national development.
“The challenge with emerging tech is the temptation to go in circles. We need to consolidate efforts,” the Minister remarked.
Maker Spaces as Catalysts for Innovation
Mrs. Mammie Hutchful Nortey introduced the idea of maker spaces—innovation labs equipped with 3D printers, virtual reality tools, and other digital fabrication equipment. These spaces, she explained, offer students hands-on opportunities to prototype and refine their ideas, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
She urged the Ministry to incorporate such facilities into its planned innovation hubs and noted that UG is currently developing its own maker space to complement its academic and research infrastructure.
Upcoming Events Showcasing UG’s Innovation Agenda
Prof. Dodoo-Arhin also briefed the Minister on two major upcoming events that underscore UG’s ongoing commitment to inclusive innovation:
- Tɛkyerɛma Pa Hackathon, an AI design hackathon for persons with speech impairments, scheduled for May 2025, aimed at building inclusive, tech-driven solutions.
- The 19th International Conference on Advanced Materials (ICAM), set for December 2025 in Accra. The event, which returns to the African continent for the first time in over 40 years, will be hosted by UG in partnership with the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) and the African Materials Research Society (AMRS).
A Shared Vision for Innovation
In his closing remarks, Prof. Dodoo-Arhin expressed appreciation to the Minister for a productive and insightful engagement. He reaffirmed UG’s readiness to fully collaborate with the Ministry in shaping Ghana’s innovation future.
“At UG, we are shifting the mindset—from traditional classroom teaching to research, innovation, and development,” he said. “We’re excited about the Innovation and Startup Bill and the Ministry’s expanded portfolio. The Vice-Chancellor has given her full assurance that the University stands ready to support.”
The meeting laid a strong foundation for what both parties envision as a long-term, impactful partnership—one that will drive innovation, expand digital literacy, and position Ghana at the forefront of inclusive, technology-driven development.