In a historic move to bridge the gap between education and digital access, the government of Ghana has officially launched the Ghana Knowledge and Skills Bank (GKSB) portal, a cutting-edge platform designed to bridge skills gap and revolutionize learning across the country.
The initiative is a key component of the government’s ambitious digitalisation agenda, which aims to enhance access to quality education for all, regardless of location or resources. The GKSB, which provides free access to an extensive range of educational materials and tutoring services, is set to change the face of education in Ghana.
Leading the launch event at the Accra Digital Centre was the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD), Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP), who hailed the GKSB as a transformative tool that will enable students to access knowledge anytime, anywhere.
“This marks a significant milestone in our journey towards digital transformation. The Ghana Knowledge and Skills Bank will offer students, from basic to tertiary levels, access to educational resources, career planning tools, and self-learning opportunities, even in offline mode. This platform exemplifies how digitalisation can create opportunities and break barriers in education.” She explained.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful highlighted that the GKSB was initially part of the e-Transform project that began in 2015. However, due to challenges, it was revived under the Ghana Digital Acceleration Project, a $200 million World Bank-backed initiative implemented in 2023.
According to her, “The GKSB is a testament to the power of collaboration, both locally and internationally, and represents our commitment to ensuring every student in Ghana can benefit from digital education, no matter where they are located. The platform also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs), on inclusive and equitable quality education.
Mrs Owusu-Ekuful described the portal as a momentous acquisition that pointed to the importance of digitilisation at the centre of the transformation that would take the country to the next level of development.
She said digitilisation and technology had enormous opportunities, which must be harnessed in all fields, including education for sustainable development and growth, adding that, the government had made digitalisation the cornerstone of its development agenda
“In a world driven by technology, it is absolutely imperative that we harness the power of technology to evolutionalise the way we teach and learn,” she added.
The Minister for Education, Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, lauded the launch of the GKSB, underscoring the government’s efforts to elevate the standards of education in Ghana. “This initiative symbolizes our vision to integrate technology into education, making learning accessible and competitive on a global scale,” he said. Dr. Adutwum emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to provide students and teachers with the necessary digital tools, such as tablets, and to transform the educational landscape through smart classrooms and digital resources.
He noted that the GKSB not only brings convenience to students by providing access to materials such as past questions and tutoring services but also encourages a collaborative learning environment. “We want to see Ghanaian students excelling globally, and the GKSB is a critical tool in making that happen,” Dr. Adutwum stated, adding that the platform offers local language tutoring and career planning options to make education more inclusive and user-friendly.
Background and Development
The Ghana Knowledge and Skills Bank project dates back to 2015 when it was initially part of the e-Transform initiative. After encountering some setbacks, it was revitalized in 2017 when the government negotiated with the World Bank to incorporate the GKSB into the larger Ghana Digital Acceleration Project. This project aimed to bolster digital infrastructure and improve educational access nationwide.
The GKSB was developed by Nponto Technologies, a local technology firm, showcasing Ghana’s growing capacity for tech innovation. The platform is designed to be accessible offline, ensuring students in remote areas can download materials and study without a continuous internet connection. By providing both self-assessment tools and a career planning feature, the GKSB goes beyond traditional learning by preparing students for future employment.
Co-Founder of Nponto Technologies, Deborah Asmah, called on educators to contribute their teaching materials to the platform, helping to expand its resources. “The GKSB is not yet fully populated, and we need the active participation of teachers to upload content and enrich the learning experience,” she urged.
With its launch, Ghana becomes the second country in Africa, after Egypt, to implement such a national digital educational infrastructure, solidifying the country’s position as a leader in digital transformation and educational innovation on the continent.