The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation and Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has strongly rebuked the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama, describing his recent comments about the Ga people as dismissive and offensive.
Reacting to Mahama’s statement that Ga communities “only need kenkey and fish to survive” rather than digitalization initiatives spearheaded by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful stressed that these communities deserve far more than mere subsistence—they deserve digital skills and access to opportunities that empower them to excel in today’s digital economy.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the launch of the flagship ‘eSkills4Jobs’ initiative at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), Owusu-Ekuful emphasized that Mahama’s comments undervalued the potential of the Ga people. “Equipping Ga communities with digital skills will open doors to a global job market, providing sustainable livelihoods beyond traditional trades,” she remarked.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful underscored the NPP government’s vision of a digitally inclusive Ghana, where every citizen, irrespective of background, has access to tools and opportunities for success in a modern economy. This vision, she noted, promotes employability and innovation, driving economic growth and creating jobs that uplift communities nationwide.
Mahama’s comments were made during a rally with NDC supporters in the Ablekuma South Constituency, where he questioned the relevance of nationwide digitalization, suggesting that not all Ghanaians need such policies. “They will digitalize the kenkey. Does that mean you will eat digitalization? But I know, by the grace of God, we will not eat digital kenkey. We eat real kenkey and fried fish,” he stated during a campaign stop in Chorkor.
In response, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful highlighted that, according to the World Bank, the digital economy is a major driver of economic growth and job creation, accounting for over 15 percent of global GDP. She reiterated that digitalization is here to stay, and initiatives like eSkills4Jobs ensure no one is left behind in this transformation. She urged Ghanaians to support the NPP and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming December 7, 2024, election.
The ‘eSkills4Jobs’ initiative, led by GI-KACE in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) and funded by the World Bank, is designed to bridge the digital skills gap and promote equitable access to digital careers among underserved communities. By enhancing employability, fostering quality job creation, and stimulating innovation, the program aims to empower Ghanaians to participate fully and meaningfully in the digital economy.
