The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE) has launched its 20th anniversary celebration in Accra. The launch of the year-long celebration under the theme “Building a Digital Legacy – Celebrating 20 Years of ICT Excellence” took place at the Centre’s auditorium in Accra on Thursday, December 7, 2023.
GI-KACE is a leading global Centre of Excellence in ICT and an e-Governance solution that provides globally competitive Research and Innovation, Consultancy and Advisory Services, Human and Institutional Capacity Building through hands-on, quality-oriented, and demand-driven products and services for accelerated national development to serve the 21st century.
Speaking at the ceremony, Director-General for GI-KACE, Dr. Collins Yeboah-Afari stated that since the establishment of GI-KACE, the Centre has trained over 50,000 high-end skilled personnel who are contributing their quota to the nation in various fields. This, he said, was part of the Centre’s efforts to support the government’s digitalisation agenda.
The centre has been pivotal in shaping the technological landscape in Ghana and delivering cutting-edge ICT solutions across various industries.
GI-KACE was founded in 2003 as the ICT Capacity Development Agency under the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization, Government of Ghana, under the guidance of the late Kofi Annan and the diplomatic initiatives of Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye and former President John Agyekum Kufuor, GI-KACE operates seamlessly under the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation. Over the years, the centre has been a hallmark of capacity-building, research and innovation and ICT consultancy. GI-KACE runs an intense range of programs, from beginner courses to advanced certifications like Cyber Security, Data Analytics, and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Data Analytics among others.
“Over the past two decades, the GI-KACE has played a pivotal role in shaping the ICT landscape of will playing a key role in the government’s digitalization agenda. GI-KACE has over the years served as an innovation hub, providing a platform for budding entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and aspiring IT professionals to explore their potential and bring their ideas to life,” Dr Yeboah-Afari stated.
Dr. Yeboah-Afari commended the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ama Pomaa Boateng, and his predecessors, Dorothy K. Gordon and Hon. Kwasi Adu-Gyan who paved the way and have contributed immensely to the growth of the Centre.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, the Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ama Pomaa Boateng said the vision-bearers who paved the path for the establishment of the Centre 20 years ago, knew that GI-KACE would be responsible for promoting individual and institutional capacity building; research and innovation; consultancy and advisory services in the area of ICT and E-Governance solutions in Ghana and beyond.
She applauded GI-KACE for its profound contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially for being a catalyst for transformative learning experiences, ensuring that youth, including those with disabilities, have access to high-quality ICT education. She further stated that GI-KACE commitment to SDG 5—Gender Equality—is reflected in its initiatives to implement targeted programs to bridge the gender gap, fostering an environment where women can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the ICT sector.
As part of the celebrations, Ama Pomaa Boateng together with Dr Yeboah-Afari unveiled a new logo for the Centre. The logo incorporates elements representing GI-KACE’s vision, target objectives, commitment to innovation, and strategic partnerships for Sustainable Development Goals. The globe icon signifies the Centre’s ambition to emerge as a global leader in ICT and eGovernance solutions, while the interlinked dot visualizes GI-KACE’s dedication to digital transformation and seamless connectivity.