Ghana Hosts 19th eLearning Africa Conference: Minister Iddrisu and Dr. Apaak Urge 2% GDP Investment in Digital Education

Ghana's Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for a radical shift in how Africa approaches digital learning, urging the continent to move from being a consumer to a creator in the global software market. Speaking at the 19th International Conference and Exhibition on Digital Education in Accra, themed "Learning for Sovereignty, Strength and Solidarity," Iddrisu emphasized that Africa must address critical questions regarding its role in digital infrastructure and software development. The conference served as a platform for African leaders and educators to discuss how to leverage technology to ensure educational self-determination and local expertise.

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, reinforced this call by urging African governments to allocate between 1% and 2% of their annual GDP to digital infrastructure. Dr. Apaak warned that without a dedicated fund and significant resource mobilization, Africa’s digital ambitions would remain unfulfilled, hindering innovation and leaving the continent underrepresented in the global technology landscape. He stressed the importance of fostering local talent to ensure that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, reflect African values and address specific socio-economic needs across the continent.

Ghana is already making significant strides in this digital transformation, as highlighted by Minister Iddrisu during the conference. Key initiatives include the Basic Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (BSTEM) program and the deployment of digital tools to over 690,000 learners nationwide. Furthermore, the government has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to support 36 EdTech ventures, aiming to boost digital literacy and provide tablets to senior high school students. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that no learner is left behind, particularly those from marginalized groups and rural communities.

The conference concluded with a call to action centered on the "sovereign learner," a framework proposed by Prof. Clement Dzidonu to empower individuals through knowledge and capability. Participants agreed that strategic partnerships in the e-learning sector are vital for overcoming challenges such as low internet usage among African youth and the lack of indigenous software solutions. By aligning educational systems with African sovereignty and investing in robust digital infrastructure, the continent aims to equip its youth with 21st-century skills and secure a competitive place in the future of global education.