The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Communications, has set up a Tech Innovation Hub (Ghana Innovation Hub), under the ICT Innovation module of the eTransform Ghana Project, to nurture Tech Startups to promote digital entrepreneurship and create digital jobs for the youth.
The Ghana Innovation Hub will function as an incubation space with co-working space, suited for start-ups and entrepreneurs, with a large events space for hosting events that will attract more established firms.
Other units of the Hub include a Brainstorm space, offices, a Boardroom, meeting rooms, training room, and a Break out section with refreshment corners.
The Hub is being managed by an MDF West Africa/Ghana Technology University/Blue Space consortium on behalf of government.
These firms, which are serving as Grant Managers, are experienced innovation intermediaries with expertise in Entrepreneurship Support and business acceleration, with demonstrated experience in designing and building substantial entrepreneurship support programs, from the design phase to final implementation phase.
The Innovation project is leveraging resources and knowledge already invested in existing infrastructure in the Ecosystem and partnerships provided by government, industry and academia.
In addition to providing physical locations for the development and growth of tech startups, the iHub will also provide virtual (i.e. online) services to encourage and support greater collaboration and coordination between innovation stakeholders.
The Ghana Innovation Hub will facilitate further development of the overall ecosystem in several ways, including but not limited to the following; connecting local entrepreneurs into broader regional and international ecosystems, inspiring and stimulating innovation in the ecosystem through creating partnerships, spaces and support channels for innovation with the goal of raising the profile of digital innovation in Ghana, cultivating linkages between organizations in the ecosystem such as private sector firms, existing innovation spaces, co-working spaces and tech hubs, academic institutions, investors, and other stakeholders.
According to Mr. Eric Ofosu Nkansah, the Acting Managing Director of the Accra Digital Centre, which is the mini Tech park hosting the project, Government expects the program to result in the addition of high-value jobs to the Ghanaian economy through the setting up of Tech Startups.
There will also be increased investment in entrepreneurial ventures in the digital technologies sector; increased revenue from entrepreneurial ventures; Digitization of government records, and training of young Ghanaian interns to undertake such activities as a foundation for building careers in the digital economy.
This innovative project is expected to lead to the sustainable development of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, with improved facilities for startups and growth of innovative, ICT-based ventures.
The Ministry of Communications, which is the supervising ministry for the project will establish a Board to oversee the operations of the Innovation Hub.
Government is expected to launch the Innovation Centre (Innovation Hub and Mobile Applications Lab) after work is completed on the Mobile Applications Lab (mLab).
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By: Kojo Agyeman/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
