The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, has entreated Ghanaians, especially learners, to make the most out of the Ghana Knowledge and Skills Bank (GKSB) portal.
According to her, digitalization has become the order of the day; therefore, there is a need for all to embrace it.
Mrs Owusu Ekuful said this during the GKSB portal launch on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at the Ghana Digital Center.
The portal contains valuable information in line with the approved curriculum for Ghanaian students. It also grants access to over 5 million online library archives, learning resources, and tools.
With AI integrated into the portal, students will be afforded the opportunity to be tutored and can ask salient questions they could not ask in their various classes.
This portal, developed by Npontu Technologies, a leading AI research and development in Ghana, was financed by the World Bank.
In her address, the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation expressed her excitement over the project and said, it gives her a real sense of accomplishment.
She believes seeing Ghana become only the second country to Egypt on the continent to use such a universal digital library platform, is a significant milestone towards transforming its digital agenda through education.
“The momentous occasion marks a significant milestone towards a digitalization transformation, inclusive development, and achieving the United Nations sustainable development goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
“In a World driven by technology, it is absolutely imperative that we harness the power of digital technology and tools to revolutionize the way we teach and learn.”
She said the GKSB innovative project assigned to provide learners with access to a fast array of educational resources will facilitate quality education to connect at all corners of the country.
“Digitalization holds the key to addressing many challenges in our educational system, from limited access to quality resources to the disparity in educational opportunities between rural and urban areas.
“By embracing digitalization, we bridge these gaps and ensure every student, regardless of their background or location, has access to world-class education,” she said further.
Mrs Ekuful identified the project as a tool to empower educators to adopt innovative methodology, engage students in an interactive learning experience, and to also provide personalized instructions to meet diverse means of learners.
The sector minister charged the public to take advantage of the platform to make a significant impact in their lives through education.
“I encouraged every Ghanaian, especially students, to embrace the platform, explore its resources, and take advantage of the opportunity it offers to make the most out of it,” Ursula Owusu Ekuful advised.
She acknowledged the collaborative effort by the Education Ministry to make the project successful and further touted the digitalization progress under President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s administration since assuming office in 2017.
Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Yaw Adutwum, who described the platform as a “major innovation,” was very adamant about boosting the educational system in the country through enhancing teaching and learning.
“I’m so happy and excited that this portal is being launched to give us the opportunity to bring to bare transformation in every facet of our education system and education enterprise.
“I just want Ghanaians to know that transformation taking place in education is going to position our nation to use education to transform our fortunes.”
He explained that digitalization, as seen, has become a means by which students will learn better than they could in acquiring 21st-century skills to enable building a better and more robust nation as leaders seek to accomplish.
