The German Development Cooperation, in partnership with 4th-IR and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has concluded the Careers in Modern IT Fields project aimed at building digital skills among Ghanaian youth.
The closing ceremony brought together students, university officials, development partners, and industry players to celebrate the programme’s successes and discuss its long-term impact on Ghana’s digital economy.
The project was implemented under the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition”, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Invest for Jobs programme. It was led by GIZ Ghana in collaboration with 4th-IR and KNUST.
Speaking at the event, the Provost of the College of Science at KNUST, Professor Leonard Amekudzi, encouraged graduates to use their newly acquired skills to benefit society.
“We are expecting that this training will enhance your IT knowledge. Go and make an impact on society. Help others with what you’ve learned so we know this is just the beginning,” he said, also thanking GIZ for sponsoring the initiative.
Head of Component for Invest for Jobs at GIZ Ghana, Mr. Simon Hochstein, said the project is a step forward in helping Ghana position itself as a credible and reliable destination for global IT and business outsourcing services.
“This project has helped create a pool of skilled digital professionals who are ready to deliver high-quality services to international clients,” he stated.
He added that the relevance of the programme goes beyond just job placement, describing participants as "ambassadors of Ghanaian talent" in the global digital economy.
Project Lead at KNUST, Dr. Emmanuel Ahene, noted that the programme couldn’t have come at a better time. He referred to data from the Ghana Statistical Service’s 2022 Labour Statistics Report, which indicates that over 20% of tertiary graduates are unemployed.
“The digital economy holds promise, but only for those with the right skills,” Dr. Ahene said.
He pointed out that the programme recorded a 95% pass rate in internationally recognised certifications like UiPath and SAP, indicating strong readiness among graduates to enter the job market.
Chief Commercial Officer of 4th-IR, Mr. Bernhard Janischowsky, also reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to training young people for the future of work.
He said the programme was designed to provide practical, future-ready training aligned with the demands of the global digital services sector.
So far, 120 young people have been trained, with 33 of them already employed in IT outsourcing roles. The curriculum covered key areas such as Robotic Process Automation, Data Engineering, SAP enterprise solutions, and Cloud Computing, combining classroom work with real-life projects and industry exposure.
As part of the ceremony, certificates were awarded to all trainees who successfully completed the programme, recognising their achievements and newly acquired technical expertise.
The event also featured a lively fireside chat focused on the theme: “Strengthening the Talent Pipeline for Ghana’s GBS Sector: The Crosscutting Role of Education and Ecosystem Partners.”
Panellists from the Ghana Hubs Network, Business Outsourcing Services Association of Ghana (BOSAG), AHK Ghana, and GIZ discussed the importance of collaboration in scaling digital workforce readiness and helping Ghana become a trusted hub for global business services.
The Careers in Modern IT Fields project forms part of Germany’s broader effort to support decent jobs and sustainable economic development in Ghana and across the continent.
