Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has called on universities and research institutions to take a leading role in advancing the country’s digital transformation agenda through innovation, research, and artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Centre for West Africa Studies for Digital Public Governance at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Mr. Debrah said Ghana and the wider African continent must become active participants in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
The inauguration formed part of activities marking GIMPA’s 65th anniversary celebration, held under the theme, “A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Digital Transformation.”
According to the Chief of Staff, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital financial systems, and e-governance are fundamentally changing how governments operate, economies grow, and citizens engage in public life.
“We cannot build the Ghana we want, a Ghana that is digitally enabled, economically diversified, and globally competitive, without strong institutions that generate relevant research and train the leaders who will implement that research,” he said.
Mr. Debrah stressed the need for educational institutions to produce research that responds to emerging technological challenges while building the human resource capacity needed to drive innovation and digital governance.
He expressed government’s support for the newly established centre, describing it as a strategic initiative that could accelerate Ghana’s digital agenda and strengthen West Africa’s position in the global digital landscape.
“Government believes in what this centre represents,” he stated, noting that the 2026 national budget allocated GH¢33.3 billion to the education sector.
The Centre for West Africa Studies for Digital Public Governance is a partnership between GIMPA and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC).
A major component of the initiative is the establishment of a digital hub that will collect governance-related data to support evidence-based policymaking and improve development outcomes across Africa.
The Rector of GIMPA, Professor Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, said the digital hub is expected to become operational within the next year.
“Many of our governments do not have the requisite data to make effective decisions. We want to mobilise data effectively for use by governments and other institutions to improve development outcomes,” he said.
Professor Bonsu explained that while the project is beginning in Ghana, the long-term vision is to expand data collection and research activities across the African continent in collaboration with international partners.
He also encouraged greater support from government and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the initiative.
The event brought together government officials, academics, development partners, alumni, and staff of GIMPA to celebrate the institution’s contribution to leadership development and public sector transformation over the past 65 years.
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