The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation has led the graduation of 530 participants of its DigSMART Scale-Up training.
The event held on Monday, 8th July, 2024 was dubbed ‘Fast track digitization for service delivery,’ which aligns with the government’s commitment to enhancing digital skills within the public sector.
Hon. Ursula Owusu, the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the critical need for public servants to be digitally adept.
“We realized that digital competence was very crucial, which led to the launch of this program,” she stated.
The training, divided into three cohorts—leaders, managers, and officers—was launched in February 2024 with a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip participants with essential digital skills.
The second phase of DigSMART Scale-Up enrolled a remarkable 830 participants from across the nation, however 530 ended up successful going through the intense weeks of training highlighting the growing recognition of digital skills’ importance in public service.
Addressing the congregation on behalf of the Head of the Office of the Civil Service, Evans Aggrey-Darkoh (PhD), Chief Director Mrs. Eunice Osae urged the graduates to apply their newly acquired skills to tackle practical issues in society. “Be the change makers,” she challenged them.
The program’s overall winning capstone project, the Sismec Project, and other notable initiatives like the online ticketing and registration system for the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, showcased innovative solutions aimed at promoting tourism and enhancing revenue generation.
Ghana’s dedication to digital transformation is evident in its top 10 ranking on the UN’s E-Government Development Index. The government’s strategic focus on human capital and sustainable development goals, particularly goal four, led to the inception of DigSMART Scale-Up.
The program, a four-month journey toward genuine digital culture transformation, was supported by collaborative stakeholders including the Office of the Head of Civil Services, Ghana CARES, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), and GI-KACE.
In her closing remarks, Hon. Ursula Owusu urged all participants to utilize the skills they have acquired and build upon them, echoing the call for continuous learning and adaptation in the digital age.
By: Ruth Sekyi – Public Sector Magazine
