Members of Parliament from the Select Committee on Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations paid a working visit to the Ghana Digital Centres Limited (GDCL) on Friday, October 3

The visit was to assess the facility's operations and explore ways to enhance its impact on Ghana's digital ecosystem.

The parliamentary delegation, led by Bandum Lamangm Abed-Nego, Chairperson of the Committee and MP for Bunkpurugu, toured key facilities including MLAB, IHUB, and selected Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies operating at the centre.

The visit aimed to provide legislators with firsthand insight into the centre's role in fostering digital innovation and entrepreneurship in Ghana.

During his welcome address, Dzifa Gunu, CEO of Ghana Digital Centres Limited, presented a candid assessment of the centre's current state and future potential.

"The Ghana Digital Centres have so much potential," he told the delegation.

"It's a ten-year-old building which needs maintenance and renovation, but beyond infrastructure, we're also grappling with inadequate funding for our programs and projects.

"The demand for office space is outweighing our current supply, we have limited collaboration with other government agencies, and we lack the vehicles needed to support the centre's operations effectively."

Dzifa Gunu made an earnest appeal for support, emphasising the critical need for intervention.

"With support from government and donor partners, the centre can replicate the same Accra Digital Centre model in different regions, thereby creating jobs and opportunities for the Ghanaian people. We need this backing to fulfil our mandate and reach our full potential."

The heart of the presentation came from Edward Aikins, the Business Development Manager, who laid out impressive numbers that captured the committee's attention.

According to Edward Aikins, the centre currently boasts an occupancy rate of over 60%, with more than 60 technology companies hosted at the facility.

"We've created over 3,000 digital and ancillary jobs through ICT and BPO firms operating at the centre," he stated. The figures extended further: more than 500 startups have received incubation and support services, while over 10,000 young people have participated in digital training programs.

Edward Aikins also outlined the centre's comprehensive support ecosystem, which includes programs like GODEP, a partnership between the Government of Ghana and Oracle Corporation, providing startups and small-to-medium enterprises access to Oracle's cloud technology.

He highlighted other initiatives such as the MASHAV cooperation between Israel, Germany, and Ghana, the Ghana Digital and Innovation Hub, and TDIP, a national initiative bridging Ghana's digital innovation ecosystem with tertiary institutions.

The presentation detailed the centre's strategic pillars, which span partnerships for infrastructure development, the Ghana Digital Innovation Fund, digital skills development and incubation programs, soft skills development, and BPO service development.

Key recommendations included formally assigning the operational management of Regional Digital and Innovation Centres to GDCL, establishing BPO and KPO service support through designated special economic zones in partnership with the Ghana Free Zones Authority, and developing incubation and acceleration programs as part of the one million coders digital entrepreneurship and employability program.

Other recommendations centred on strengthening supervision of MLAB and IHUB, procuring operational vehicles to support the centre's activities, expanding the Accra Digital Centre, and finalising the transfer of ownership from the Ministry of Works and Housing to the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations.

Bandum Lamangin Abed-Nego responded enthusiastically to what he saw, particularly the outputs from the incubator programs.

"The products from the incubator programme should be exported," he advised. He gave a practical example: "Gari and other local products, well packaged, can be exported to London, for example, therefore giving the people more opportunities."

His comments highlighted the potential for GDCL to serve as a launchpad not just for digital services but for Ghana's broader economic transformation.

The delegation included Owiredu Asuako Charles, MP for Abirem and Deputy Ranking Member; Alhassan Umar, MP for Zabzugu; Djabab Kofi Nelson, MP for Krachi East; and Matthew Nyindan, Ranking Member. Several members of GDCL staff were also in attendance to support the visit and provide technical insights.

The centre works in partnership with major organisations including the World Bank Group, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Intrinsic Innovations, GIZ, MTN, Telecel, ITU, and academic institutions such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Academic City University, and the University of Ghana.

As the visit concluded, there was a palpable sense that the committee had gained valuable perspective on both the achievements and the needs of Ghana's premier digital innovation hub, setting the stage for potential policy interventions and increased support in the future.