Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, Ghanaian youth have been challenged to equip themselves with web-based technology to help nurture their ideas, create jobs and make themselves employable.
This, according to a representative of the Ghana Tech Lab (GTL), Gabriel Quarshie is the pathway to sustainable employment in this COVID-19 pandemic era where most businesses are diversifying and moving their operations online to serve the evolving needs of consumers.
Mr. Quarshie made this known at a consultative stakeholder meeting organised by GTL in partnership with iSpace, an innovation hub in Accra.
The meeting which was organised under the theme: “The Role of Web Technology for Digital Transformation of the Local Economy for Job Creation and Economic Development” sought to engage start-ups and policy makers on existing opportunities, challenges, the use of web-based technology and the skills required to propel and sustain youth innovation and employment.
Some challenges identified by participants included the reluctance of the youth to engage in technology out of fear and the difficulty in cutting into a deeply engraved system that refuses to allow technology for fear of loss of jobs and position.
Also, little to no access to internet use because of affordability and inconsistency in network; as well as challenges in accessing the policies that have been put in place by government such as tax exemptions.
The stakeholders also came up with suggestions that would help curb some of these challenges such as policy regulators seeing to it that the policies they make are actually rolled out and are accessible.
They also suggested that web technology training is incorporated into the curriculum in schools right from the onset to curb the fear. The stakeholders added that government could also regulate the telecommunications industry to make some affordable data plans for students and entrepreneurs as well as businesses.
They called on government to invest more funds into the support system of the stakeholders such as the hubs to intensify their capacity to reach a wider and variety of audience and many more.
Despite these challenges however, Chief Executive of iSpace, Josiah Eyison, in his keynote address indicated that Africa is in a very good position to leverage on technological infrastructure to equip the youth as the ecosystem continues to evolve in digitalization.
Mr. Eyison urged all stakeholders, especially policy makers and implementers, to put in place the needed structures to enable the youth to thrive.
Story filed by Mabel Adorkor Annang.
