The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to implement a national digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme.
The programme will train teachers and instructors in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the use of AI and other digital technologies to enhance teaching and learning.
It is also aimed to equip them with relevant digital skills to adapt to the evolving digital landscape.
Speaking after the signing ceremony in Accra yesterday, the Administrator of GETFund, Mr Paul Adjei, said the initiative demonstrated Ghana’s commitment to preparing its workforce for the rapidly evolving digital economy through strategic partnerships.
He said the government, through the programme, was laying the foundation for a more resilient, competitive and inclusive workforce.
“As technology continues to transform industries and redefine the future of work, the need to equip our young people with relevant digital competence, AI capabilities and innovation-driven skills has become more urgent than ever,” Mr Adjei said.
“We recognise that the future competitiveness of our nation depends significantly on the ability of our TVET institutions to produce graduates who are not only technically competent but digitally empowered to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he added.
Mr Adjei reaffirmed GETFund’s commitment to supporting quality education through strategic investments and expressed confidence that the partnership with UNESCO would strengthen Ghana’s TVET ecosystem and contribute to the country’s industrialisation, digital transformation and sustainable economic growth.
The UNESCO Country Representative, Mr Edmond Moukala, commended the government for strengthening the country’s education system to equip young people with the digital skills needed to thrive in the changing world of work.
He said the Global Skills Academy under UNESCO Global Education was established to bridge the global skills gap by providing accessible, high-quality learning opportunities for young people and adults.
Mr Moukala said the academy also sought to equip millions of learners with digital, entrepreneurial and green skills by 2030.
According to him, the national digital and AI programme is one of UNESCO’s flagship initiatives implemented with development partners, including Microsoft, KPMG and Tablet Academy.
He stressed the need to prepare educators to use AI ethically and apply it responsibly to promote sustainable development.
The Head of Corporate Affairs at KPMG Ghana, Mrs Joyceline Coleman, highlighted how AI was transforming the business environment and pledged the company’s commitment to helping the next generation acquire the skills needed to succeed in the digital economy.
Joining the ceremony virtually, the Head of Government Affairs for Africa at Microsoft, Mrs Akua Gyekye, urged TVET teachers and instructors to take advantage of the programme to strengthen their digital skills.
The Director of Tablet Academy, Mr Bijay Dhungana, said a team of master trainers would be established to train participants through personalised learning. He added that the three-month programme would end with examinations for the teachers and instructors.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
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