Digital Skills Gap: High Demand for ICT Talent in Ashanti Region, But Too Few Schools Training Them

A new UNICEF report has uncovered that there is a growing digital skills gap in the Ashanti Region that threatens its ability to compete in Ghana’s fast-changing economy.

The report, published after a study on skills supply and demand in the region, reveals that while the demand for ICT professionals, ICT specialists, and coding engineers is booming, the training pipeline is woefully inadequate.

According to the study, only 14% of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the region offer Information Technology-related courses. Even fewer provide specialized training in computer hardware and networking.

The result, the UNICEF says, is a mismatch where businesses are desperate for digital skills, but young people aren’t being trained at the scale required.

“The demand for ICT professionals, including IT specialists and coding engineers, is unmet by the limited number of TVET institutions offering ICT-related courses. Only 14% of institutions provide Information Technology training and even fewer offer courses in computer hardware and networking,” portions of the report cited by The High Street Journal noted.  

The consequences of this gap are already visible. From small businesses in Kumasi looking for website developers, to banks needing cybersecurity experts, and start-ups craving coding talent, companies are forced either to import expertise from outside the region or make do with underqualified staff.

This not only raises costs for employers but also limits opportunities for young people in Ashanti, who risk being locked out of one of the fastest-growing job markets.

The report further indicates that the shortage isn’t just about courses, but also about industry-standard certifications and partnerships. Many firms and businesses in need of these skills demand globally recognized credentials in areas like cloud computing, networking, and software development.

However, the certifications that the few local institutions offer do not meet the international standard. Without the standard training and certification, graduates often find themselves sidelined despite having basic ICT exposure.

“This gap is further exacerbated by the need for more industry certifications and partnerships to bridge the skills divide,” the report added.

The findings suggest that if the region does not act quickly to expand ICT-focused TVET programs, it could miss out on the opportunities offered by the digital economy.

For a region with a strong youth population and a rising entrepreneurial spirit, bridging this gap is urgent. There is, therefore, a need for public-private partnerships, modernized curricula, and equipping schools with up-to-date labs that will be critical in turning Ashanti into a digital talent hub.

Meanwhile, the current government has launched one of its flagship initiatives, dubbed “One Million Coders Program” to train one million youth and equip them with digital skills. It is anticipated that the program, if properly implemented, will help to bridge this digital divide in the Ashanti Region.

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