From Samuel Akapule, Bolgatanga
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of e-Brain Solutions and its subsidiaries, Mr. Reuben Asigri, has urged tertiary students to start learning and acquiring digital skills before graduation, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience in the rapidly evolving ICT sector.
Mr Asigri made the call at an employability seminar hosted by the Computer and Information Technology Department of Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) at its Sumbrungu campus.
The event, which attracted 59 students and six faculty members, featured distinguished ICT experts from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), Navrongo. It was sponsored by the European Union (EU) with technical support from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) under the EU-Ghana Pact for Skills programme.
Ahead of the seminar, BTU faculty held orientation sessions to prepare students for the event, covering topics such as cybersecurity awareness, emerging tech trends, and professional certifications essential for success in the ICT industry.
Mr. Asigri cautioned students against a common mistake of waiting after graduation before beginning to acquire digital skills. He emphasized that merely focusing on theoretical knowledge was not enough for success in the digital age. “Building on real-world projects is essential,” he stated, highlighting the importance of practical experience.
He also pointed out that the future of ICT in Ghana is incredibly promising, with opportunities arising in sectors such as digital transformation of SMEs, smart agriculture, health-tech innovation, education technology, and financial inclusion.
“Students entering ICT now are entering at the right time,” he continued. “But don’t wait. You need to develop both hard and soft skills now. Waiting until graduation is not an option if you want to stay competitive in the job market.”
While coding remains a core component of ICT education, Mr Asigri stressed that technical skills such as networking, software development, cybersecurity, database management, and cloud computing are also essential. He also emphasized the need for professional soft skills, such as communication, documentation, problem analysis, teamwork, and a continuous learning mindset.
“What employers want is someone who can solve problems using digital skills, communicate effectively, learn quickly, and take initiative,” Asigri explained.
The CEO also commended the management of BTU and highlighted e-Brain Solutions’ commitment to expanding collaboration with the university in areas such as internships, industry mentorship, student projects, and digital skills training.
Over the years, e-Brain Solutions has been actively involved in various ICT projects, including Point of Sale (POS) systems for retail and pharmacies, event registration platforms, asset management systems, managed IT infrastructure, internet hotspots, and CCTV and security solutions.
A Senior lecturer from University of UTAS, Navrongo, Dr Paula Aninyie Wumnaya who doubled as the Head of Department of Cyber Security and Computer Engineering Technology , emphasized the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals. He pointed to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report that predicts a 33% increase in cybersecurity jobs between 2023 and 2033, making it one of the most in-demand and highest-paying fields globally.
“Businesses are moving more of their operations online, making them vulnerable to cyber threats,” he said. “Cybersecurity is no longer a niche field; it’s an essential component of every organization’s operations.”
Ms. Millicent Puruseh, Senior Assistant Guidance and Counselling Coordinator of BTU and Lead of Career Services for the project, outlined how the university is enhancing its digital competencies and fostering greater collaboration with industry players.
She revealed plans to organize more seminars, job fairs, mentorship, industrial tours and internships to strengthen students’ career readiness.
Mr. Alexis Adugdaa Ayamdor, Project Lead, shared that the Integrated Digital Competency and Jobs Accelerator Project (IDAP) had already established an Integrated Digital Skills and Employability Hub (IDSEH) at BTU. This hub, he announced, offers training in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, data analytics, and cybersecurity. He noted that the series of employability seminars are part of this larger initiative to equip students with relevant, market-ready skills.