25 youth receive training in mobile App dev

The Duapa Werkspace skills development and business incubation hub in conjunction with Ghana TechLab, has trained 25 youth in mobile App development, under the Base Innovation Project, in Takoradi.

The six-week event, funded by Master Card Foundation, enabled the beneficiaries to explore opportunities in technology and how to start their own businesses, to reduce unemployment.

Mr Michael Asante, the Hub Manager, Ghana TechLab, told the Ghana News Agency that technology had become vital to development.

He noted that in Ghana there has been increasing growth in the number of businesses that required online visibility, particularly mobile apps, to propel customer acquisition and reach due to COVID-19.

The training, which was under the theme: “Mobile Applications for Sustainable Business Development and Job Creation in Your City”, aimed at promoting and celebrating the ‘startup culture’ and encourage entrepreneurship among the youth.

It was also to help beneficiaries have easy access to funding and business support, create conducive platform for investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs to converge at one place to share ideas, experiences and explore areas of mutual interest for a thriving digital economy.

Mr Asante said “the training offered the platform for ‘startup founders’ to pitch their innovative ideas to local investors, business leaders and the local community.”

He said that with the rapid growth in technology, mobile phones have become a vital part of human life.

Mobile Applications (popularly referred to as Apps) have transformed the way we handle our mobile phones and, as a result, how companies handled their business, Mr Asante said.

He noted that customers preferred using Apps for communication, shopping or transportation.

Mr Asante said that given these habits, businesses ought to be reinvented to meet customers’ needs.

He said there was the need to equip the next generation with mobile app development skills to be employable.

A Sustainability Expert, Ms Alice Ama Darko, said sustainability was important and urged the participants to leave good footprints for future generations.

She entreated them to ensure that their businesses helped in avoiding climate- related problems and promoting Green activities to save the planet.

Ms Wendy Mercy Minnah, a Mega builders Apps developer, said it was a real opportunity for beneficiaries to acquire skills and explore opportunities in technology and how to start their own businesses. -GNA