Ghana's 24-Hour Economy Secretariat has partnered with the Business Outsourcing Services Association of Ghana (BOSAG) to develop the nation's outsourcing talent pipeline. This collaboration aims to position Ghana as a leading destination for digital services, targeting 100,000 new jobs over the next five years.
The initiative will focus on strategic investments in skills development, infrastructure, and market access. It seeks to address youth unemployment by connecting education and training directly to employment opportunities in the outsourcing sector. This partnership is crucial for Ghana to tap into the global multi-trillion-dollar outsourcing industry.
This move aligns with Ghana's broader economic strategy to diversify revenue streams and create sustainable employment. The country recorded approximately US$6.2 billion in digitally delivered services exports in 2022, making it a leading African exporter. Expanding the outsourcing sector can significantly boost foreign exchange earnings and economic growth, building on this strong foundation.
Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, highlighted the sector's potential. He stated that outsourcing directly addresses unemployment by hiring educated youth and training them to international standards. These workers then receive payments from export earnings, directly benefiting the Ghanaian economy.
The partnership will align training curricula with industry demands through the Aspire24 programme. This ensures young people gain relevant skills for immediate employment in the business process outsourcing (BPO) and IT-enabled services sectors. Developing multilingual capabilities will also enable Ghanaian workers to serve markets across Africa and beyond, including French and Portuguese-speaking regions.
BOSAG's Chief Executive Officer, David Gowu, emphasized Ghana's strong potential as an outsourcing hub. He cited the youthful population, improving digital infrastructure, and over 100,000 annual tertiary graduates as key advantages. Mr. Gowu stated that Ghana possesses the talent and infrastructure needed, requiring only deliberate action to connect young people to opportunities.
The collaboration extends beyond Accra, with BOSAG involved in developing the proposed Ukwa Tech Park at the University of Cape Coast. This project is expected to provide approximately 3,000 outsourcing seats and a skills training centre. It will serve as a model for similar developments in other regions, promoting job creation in secondary cities.
The Secretariat is also supporting the development of technology parks and outsourcing infrastructure nationwide. This decentralization strategy aims to spread economic benefits and job opportunities across Ghana. Such investments are vital for inclusive economic growth and regional development.
Globally, outsourcing is a multi-trillion-dollar industry, with countries like India and the Philippines leveraging it for job creation and foreign exchange. Ghana aims to increase its share of this market by promoting its competitive advantages. Recent international recognition further strengthens Ghana's prospects in this dynamic sector.
Kojo Hayford, Board Chairman and Founder of eServices Africa Limited (eSAL), noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be seen as an enabler. He explained that while AI automates routine tasks, human workers remain crucial for critical judgment and decision-making. eSAL plans to establish a delivery centre in Tamale, extending outsourcing opportunities to underserved communities.
This strategic partnership signals a strong commitment to harnessing Ghana's human capital for economic advancement. It will create a robust talent pipeline, attract significant foreign investment, and solidify Ghana's position in the global digital services landscape. Stakeholders will closely monitor the implementation of these ambitious plans and their impact on job creation and export earnings.