Dr. Pelpuo urges digital transformation for jobs

The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has urged African countries to adopt digital transformation to create jobs and improve workforce productivity.

He made the call at the opening of the 2025 Global Conference on Human Resources in Africa in Accra. The event brought together government officials, business leaders, human resource professionals, and technology experts.

Dr. Pelpuo said technology offers opportunities for new skills, employment, and access to education. He stressed the need for inclusive policies to ensure all sections of society benefit from technological change.

Quoting Johnny C. Taylor Jr., President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, he said: “AI plus Human Intelligence will equal Return on Investment in the new world of work.”

He urged collaboration between governments, universities, and industry to align education with labour market needs. The three-day conference will feature discussions and training on the future of work in Africa.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP),  paid a working visit to the Girls-In-ICT training centres in the Volta Region to interact with the girls and encourage them to build their abilities in digital skills and STEM education.

The centres visited are, In my Fathers House, RC Basic School, Abor -Keta Municipal and Amissah-Arthur Learning Centre, Ohawu, Ketu North District. The Hon. Minister expressed excitement for visiting the Volta Region and indicated that the program will train 3000 girls and 300 teachers in Digital Skills this year. “The Girls in ICT program is not just one that is marked on the calendar but a flagship program to help train a new cadre of girls equipped with the necessary skills for the future.”

According to the Hon. Minister, the success of the training is attributed to crucial on-the-ground support from local officials, such as the DCE, and the commitment of leaders like Hon. Kwame Garkpey, Member of Parliament for the Keta Constituency in the Volta Region, who is passionate about advancing ICT education in his constituency. Beyond training the girls, the Ministry is also equipping their schools and training teachers to ensure wider access to digital education, affirming its commitment to creating equity between the girl child and the boy child.

The Ministry, which owns and runs the programme, implements it through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and stands firmly behind GIFEC’s efforts to take digital literacy to every corner of the country.

Hon. Samuel Nartey George indicated that the President is extremely passionate about this programme. That’s why we’re not only training you but also your teachers, and we’ll ensure your schools are equipped so that your peers can benefit too.

He drew inspiration from his personal life, noting, “My kid sister is an engineer, just like I am. Women in engineering, STEM, and ICT excel. I want to see the next Farida Bedwei, who, despite being differently abled, is one of Africa’s leading software developers, recognized globally. This opportunity is yours to explore, learn, and lead us.”