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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Monday rolled out a free Information Communication Technology (ICT) training for 200 youth as part of efforts to reduce unemployment.
Of the number, 150 of them would be equipped with skills in software, web and mobile application development for 10 days, while those learning cable television installation would study for five days.
In addition to the training provided by Ramsy Info Tech Solutions Limited, the cable TV beneficiaries would receive tool kits and the rest would be given post training mentorship.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Baba Gana Waki, said the initiative was aimed at saving the youth from drug abuse and peddling as well as targets for violent extremist , due to lack of employment.
He said the future of ECOWAS was in their hands of the youth since more than 65 per cent of the sub-region’s population of over 300 million, were youth hence the need to invest in them .
He said it was the ECOWAS’s duty to develop the youth to transform the region and enable it to compete favourably on a global scale, especially through ICT and digital transformation.
“No economy can grow without embracing ICT and digital transformation. Digital skills are essential not only for economic growth but also for addressing social and political issues, such as fighting terrorism through cybersecurity and data analytics”, he said.
Baba Wakil said the ECOWAS aims to catch the youth young and equip them with digital skills to become capable leaders in the future and also address youth unemployment.
He said youth unemployment had contributed to an increase in transnational crimes, drug addiction, and terrorism, as unemployed youth become susceptible to recruitment by criminal organizations.
“Developing digital skills and entrepreneurship can help the youth create their own businesses and wean themselves off reliance on government employment”, he said.
According to Baba Wakil, the programme would be extended to other regions depending on the successes of this maiden edition and availability of funds to sponsor it.
BY JONATHAN DONKOR
