Creating long-term jobs
through ICT qualification

Utilising potential and offering young people prospects in their own country

Ghana's positive economic development in recent decades is in large parts due to investments in people's education. However, the often theoretical nature of education creates a discrepancy between the qualifications acquired and the requirements of companies, with the result that unemployment remains at a high level despite the economic upwards trend. At the same time, many highly qualified Ghanaians emigrate because they cannot find adequate job opportunities in their home country. 

The digicap.gh project addressed the frequent lack of demand-oriented qualification in the field of information and communication technology (ICT). The aim was to bridge the existing gap between supply and demand in the Ghanaian labour market. Promoting the ICT sector is particularly important because it acts as a growth engine and contributes to the further development of the entire private sector. Existing (internet) infrastructure, adequate security, national stability and a generally favourable business environment support the establishment of new ICT companies in Ghana and create the conditions for a successful project with employment effects. 

Universities as training centers for motivated professionals and as placement agents to the private sector

digicap.gh was a partnership project of the AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation of the Federation of Catholic Entrepreneurs (BKU) with the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the Accra Technical University (ATU) and the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH). As part of the project, the universities UCC and ATU as well as local business institutions developed capacities to deliver practical ICT qualification programs aligned with the needs of local businesses. Both short- and long-term programs for students were developed and established. 

 By offering needs-based training for ICT professionals, the partnership project aimed to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of Ghanaian companies, thereby increasing employability. The project supported students' success through training and introduction to the ICT network. At the same time, it created a pool of qualified workers for companies, reducing the effort required to find suitable employees. 

From October 2020 to February 2024, the project partners collaborated with 28 companies based in Ghana. The close collaboration with the local business association, the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH), and companies such as the German IT company getINNOtized GmbH also contributed to improved knowledge transfer between the private sector and partner universities. Through workshops, boot camps, and networking events of the new INDAC-TED Symposium, business-specific aspects were further emphasised. To support the project's sustainability, IIPGH was integrated into the mechanisms of project development and management. 

Establishing long-term collaborations to strengthen employability skills

By the end of the project, 588 students and lecturers - 30 percent of whom were women -  received training for up to three semesters in Data Science & Analysis, Business Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and Networking & Security. An additional 945 individuals, 46 percent of whom were women, participated in shorter training programs of at least five days. At partner universities, Career Service Units were established to provide guidance on CV writing, career orientation, team building, negotiation training, and public speaking. A Junior Consultants Program promoted entrepreneurial thinking. Supported by further training and mentoring, graduates developed ICT solutions for companies within this framework. Of those who completed the qualification programs, 162 graduates - 30 percent of whom were women - secured suitable employment in various companies. 

The project showed potential for further development of different approaches and led to the design of a new initiative. Embedded in feminist development policy of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), this project promotes the participation, self-confidence, and employability of young women in ICT fields. It focusses on cross-disciplinary skills, practical experience, and supporting female job starters during their one-year Ghanaian National Service Scheme (NSS), a mandatory civil service program following university graduation, as well as their subsequent transition into permanent employment. 

 Further information and impressions can be found on the project's website: https://digicap.afosfoundation.org/. 

The partnership project was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) within the framework of the Special Initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition" via sequa gGmbH.