At the launch of the Digital Skills Campaign at GIMPA.
The emergence of artificial intelligence, increased interconnectivity and more complex data systems, among others, have meant that professionals will also need to acquire digital skills to be relevant in their various industries and to deliver effectively. Noting this, the Office of the African Union (AU) Youth Envoy is leading an initiative to provide digital skills for young people in Africa to make them work-ready and active stakeholders in the digital transformation of work. It is in this light that the Office of AU Youth Envoy in collaboration with Google Africa and UNFPA launched the Digital Skills campaign within the campus of the Ghana Institute of Management & Public Administration (GIMPA).
The goal of the drive is to create a platform for young African students to gain in-demand employable skills towards improving their livelihood and the achievement of AU Agenda 2063. As part of this campaign, various working sessions were held at the Orange Loft--the Youth Innovation Hub by UNFPA Ghana with the Youth Leaders (YoLe) Fellows and select youth, the Stanbic Bank Incubator for startups, the GIMPA campus and also in Koforidua, in the Eastern Region.
Speaking on behalf of the UNFPA Country Representative during the working session at the Stanbic Incubator, Emmily Naphambo, the UNFPA Deputy Representative noted that, “The collaboration between the African Union Chairperson’s Youth Envoy, Google, Stanbic Bank, and the UNFPA Ghana exemplifies the power of such partnerships. By pooling our resources, expertise, and shared vision, we can build a robust digital ecosystem that nurtures talent, drives innovation, and accelerates economic development.
Emmily Naphambo, Ph.D, UNFPA Representative making remarks on behalf of the UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Wilfred Ochan.
“This collaborative effort ensures a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by African youth”, she added.
To bolster this campaign, the Office of the AU Youth Envoy held consultations with the UNFPA YoLe Fellows to seek ways to bridge the digital divide among African youth, having identified digital literacy as integral for creating and improving learning opportunities in Africa.
A facilitator taking some of the participants through some modules and information sessions during the youth consultations as part of the digital skills campaign.
