Education Minister Challenges Conference on Africa's Digital Future

Haruna Iddrisu, Ghana's Minister of Education, challenged participants at the 19th International Conference and Exhibition on Digital Education, Training and Skills Development to confront pressing issues regarding Africa's educational future in the digital era. Opening the conference in Accra, he emphasized the need to find answers to "nagging questions" that confront the continent.

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But it is my desire that this conference, this e-learning conference must find answers to some nagging questions. One, where is Africa’s place in the provision of robust infrastructure to support digital learning and information communication technology? Where is Africa’s place when it comes to the software market? Where are we? Are we there? Can we compete and can we cope? And where is Africa’s place when it comes to the soft skills? Are we there?

Minister Iddrisu posed critical inquiries about Africa's standing in providing robust infrastructure for digital learning and information communication technology. He questioned the continent's role in the software market, asking if Africa can compete and cope. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of soft skills development and Africa's position in this area. He suggested that addressing these questions would pave the way for greater independence.

The three-day conference, themed "Learning for Sovereignty, Strength and Solidarity," brought together participants from across Africa. Minister Iddrisu stressed the global trend of public-private partnerships and urged Africa to assess its position within the e-learning market. He raised questions about the reality of the global e-learning market, the significance of local content, and whether the curriculum adequately reflects African realities.

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We need to find answers even to how far is the reality of the global market with e-learning and e-learning products? Does local content matter and to whom? Does the curriculum and our curriculum define and relate to our reality of who we are as Africans?

Iddrisu noted that Ghana has made strides in its digital education ecosystem, providing tablets with embedded curricula to all senior high school students and teachers. The government plans to expand this initiative to junior high schools. He also cited the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship's support for Ghanaian EdTech ventures and the high download rate of the national curriculum microsite. However, he pointed out the stark digital divide, with only 38% of Africans using the internet and a significant percentage of young people in Sub-Saharan Africa lacking basic digital skills, while critical decisions about data and digital platforms are often made outside the continent.

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What kind of certificates do we issue? Do the certificates connect to improving livelihoods and how do they?