HON. MINISTER'S REMARKS AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE EXPANDED PAIX DATA CENTRE
Source: ministry_of_communications_ghana

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HON. URSULA OWUSU-EKUFUL, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITALISATION AT THE GRADUATION OF THE 2024 DigSMART PROGRAMME FOR CIVIL AND SERVANTS HELD AT KOFI ANNAN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE (KACE) ON MONDAY 8TH JULY 2024 AT 9:00 AM Honourable Ministers, Head of the Office of the Civil Service, Chief Director, Ministry of Finance Country Director, Tony Blair Institute, Directors, Distinguished Guests, Graduates, Friends from the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am grateful for your presence here today and a warm welcome to the graduation ceremony of the 2024 DigSMART Programme. A year has passed so fast, and I cannot believe we are here again to celebrate our latest graduates of the 2024 DigSMART programme. It is a privilege to stand before you today as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our dedicated public and civil servants who have completed this transformative digital training initiative. Last year, we embarked on a journey to address the challenges posed by the COVID -19 pandemic through the strategic prioritisation of “Fast Track Digitisation ”. This initiative has been a cornerstone of our rejuvenation and transformation efforts, aligning with the Government of Ghana ’s Digital Economy Policy. We recogni sed that enhancing the digital skills of our government workforce was vital, and thus, the DigSMART programme was born. The DigSMART initiative, spearheaded by the GhanaCARES Delivery Unit of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, and in partnership with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), marked a significa nt milestone in fostering a digitally adept public sector in Ghana. Our goal was to develop visionary leaders, enhance their ability to navigate tech policy, deliver on tech transformation, and cultivate a digital-first culture within our public institutions. In its inaugural year, the DigSMART programme enrolled 170 participants from six Ministries and three Departments. These participants, selected by their division heads, were divided into three cohorts of leaders, managers, and officers. We were proud to achieve critical outcomes such as 51% female participation, 70% graduation rate, and significant improvements in digital skills among 81% of the learners. Building on this success, we launched the DigSMART Scale-Up on February 7th, 2024, at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Center of Excellence in ICT. This year, the programme has expanded significantly, enrolling 830 participants from all 53 42 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. This remarkable growth underscores our commitment to broadening digital skills nationwide and reflects the programme’s growing recognition and importance. The Scale-Up programme, from February to May 2024, has combined weekly online training sessions with monthly physical sessions, providing a holistic approach to authentic transformation. For the first time, we have introduced a geographical expansion with training centres in Accra, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga, ensuring accessibility for participants across the nation. The comprehensive curriculum of the Scale -Up programme covers various aspects of digital skills essential for leadership and transformative initiatives within the government. Modules on digital strategy, leadership, governance, and cutting -edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things have been integral to this year’s training. Our targets for this year were ambitious: an 80% overall participation rate, 80% graduation rate, at least 50% female representation, and a minimum of 60% of participants applying their newfound knowledge to their work. As we stand here today, I am proud t o announce that we have met and exceeded these targets, setting a new standard for digital proficiency within our public sector. The DigSMART initiative represents a crucial step towards a digitally advanced public sector in Ghana, ultimately enhancing service delivery to our citizens. Today, as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates, we also look forward to the future. W e are confident that the skills and knowledge acquired through this programme will drive innovation, efficiency, and excellence in public service. To our graduates, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to embracing digital transformation have set you apart as leaders in our journey towards a digital future. I encourage you to continue to apply what you have learned, to inspire your colleagues, and to lead the charge in making Ghana’s public sector a beacon of digital excellence. Thank you all for being part of this momentous occasion. Let us continue to work together to build a digitally empowered Ghana. Congratulations once again to our DigSMART graduates! Thank you.