Higher education must move beyond theory to practical AI and digital skills – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clementt Abas Apaak has called for Ghana’s higher education system to move beyond theoretical instruction and place greater emphasis on practical artificial intelligence and digital and technical skills.

He said the rapid transformation of the global economy required Ghana to develop a workforce capable of competing in high-growth technology sectors.

Speaking at the MTN Ghana–University of Ghana partnership signing ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, September 2, Dr. Apaak said digital innovation, data systems, and artificial intelligence were increasingly shaping the global economy.

“For Ghana to capture this value and build a resilient, future-ready workforce, higher education must move beyond theoretical foundations to direct, applied digital skills development,” he said.

Dr. Apaak said the partnership between MTN Ghana and the University of Ghana would help equip young Ghanaians with practical competencies required in the modern workforce.

He said the initiative would also support the Ministry of Education’s efforts to embed applied STEM capabilities across the education system and strengthen Ghana’s participation in high-growth areas of the economy.

“The partnership will equip young Ghanaians with practical AI, digital and technical competencies that are increasingly essential for the modern workforce,” he stated.

The Deputy Minister also urged students to move beyond consuming technology and focus on creating solutions to real-world problems.

“The launch of the Tɛkyerɛma Pa Hackathon will encourage young people to move from being consumers of technology to creators of solutions,” he said.

“It will challenge students to apply software engineering and data science to real socio-economic problems that matter to Ghana.”

Dr. Apaak said the tools and opportunities being provided through the initiative should serve as a springboard for innovation and entrepreneurship.

“The tools, devices, and platforms provided here are catalysts,” he said.

He challenged beneficiaries to use them to develop solutions that address Ghana’s pressing challenges.

“The responsibility now rests on you to build applications, algorithms, and enterprises that solve pressing national challenges and position Ghana as a competitive participant in the global digital economy.”