Owusu-Ekuful: How Twitter's Africa headquarters will impact Ghana’s tech industry

Ghana's Minister of Communication and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, shared her excitement about Twitter's decision to establish their African headquarters in Ghana. Minister Owusu-Ekuful emphasized that this move will have a significant impact on Ghana's tech ecosystem and the local economy. The Minister highlighted the shared commitment to free speech and online freedom that Ghana and Twitter have in common, making Ghana an ideal location for the headquarters. She also mentioned that hosting the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area positions Ghana as the trade capital of the continent, further attracting large initiatives like Twitter's hub. Minister Owusu-Ekuful emphasized the potential for collaboration and innovation between Twitter and local tech professionals in Ghana. She also mentioned the positive impact on job creation within the ICT and technology sectors. The Minister expressed optimism about the growth of small and medium enterprises along the technology value chain, leading to further innovations and advancements in various industries. She underscored the importance of developing local solutions to address specific challenges in sectors like sanitation, transportation, and utilities. Minister Owusu-Ekuful highlighted Ghana's efforts to support the tech ecosystem, including investing in shared working spaces and mobile labs for innovation hubs. The government's focus on building digital infrastructure and expanding voice and data connectivity to rural areas is seen as crucial for the growth of the tech industry. The Minister also mentioned ongoing projects to provide digital skills to young people and reduce the gender digital divide, ensuring that women and girls have equal opportunities in the digital space. Overall, the establishment of Twitter's African headquarters in Ghana is expected to energize the tech ecosystem, create job opportunities, and drive innovation across various sectors. Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful expressed confidence in Ghana's potential to become a hub for tech talent and cutting-edge solutions, with a strong regulatory environment and government support paving the way for future growth and development.