Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu has sounded the alarm on the urgent need for improved internet infrastructure and greater investment in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), warning that Ghana’s digital future is at risk without decisive action.
His comments came during a working visit by a delegation of Zimbabwean Members of Parliament who were in Ghana to study its innovation ecosystem and educational development strategies.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, July 2, Mr. Iddrisu acknowledged that while Ghana has made commendable progress in research and education, digital connectivity remains a critical gap.
“The government and the President have allocated nearly $45 million to the national research fund. Our institutions are performing fairly well, but ICT remains a weak link,” he said. “We need more connectivity—more fibre, more broadband. Current internet usage and infrastructure levels are not good enough.”
He added that the broader challenge extends beyond technology, noting, “Africa still faces a governance deficit, and this affects how we leverage ICT for development.”
The leader of the Zimbabwean delegation, Dr. Thokozani Khupe, emphasized the importance of ICT in youth empowerment. She called on African governments to invest more in innovation and entrepreneurship to shift mindsets from job-seeking to job creation.
“We want our graduates to be job creators, not job seekers,” she said. “If a student has an idea, they should be given space in an innovation hub to turn it into a viable product ready for market.”
The visit is part of a growing regional effort to strengthen innovation-driven education and youth entrepreneurship across Africa.
