The Vice Dean of the School of Economics at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Emmanuel Ekow Asmah, has appealed to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to support the establishment of a Smart Data for Development Centre at the University to strengthen research, innovation and national development.
Prof. Asmah made the appeal during a courtesy call on the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, at the Bank Square, Accra, where he presented the outcomes of a Data Science and Artificial Intelligence project supported by the bank.
He explained that the proposed centre would enhance advanced analytics capacity, provide real-time data for policy intelligence, strengthen research infrastructure and support evidence-based decision-making.
"The centre will provide opportunities for applied research, innovation, digital solutions and capacity development while expanding our engagement with the informal sector through data-driven interventions," he said.
Reporting on the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence project, he said the project had made remarkable strides in promoting data literacy among young people and communities.
He noted that following the training of mentors, the University rolled out an online Data Science and Artificial Intelligence training programme, which attracted approximately 400 applications.
"Although the online platform could accommodate only 180 participants, all of them completed the training. Plans are already underway to organise a second cohort to cater for the remaining applicants," he said.
Prof. Asmah disclosed that the initiative had also been extended to selected Senior High Schools, where Data Science for Mentorship (DS4M) Clubs had been established to nurture students' interest in Data Science and digital skills. He said the programme had so far reached about 140 students through mentorship and outreach activities.
Beyond educational institutions, he indicated that the University had expanded its outreach to the informal sector by providing data literacy training for market women and artisans, including mechanics, to improve their understanding and use of data in business operations.
As part of the project, a UCC team also developed an innovative Smart Business Tracking Tool, designed specifically for micro and small enterprises. The tool supports budgeting, record-keeping and informed decision-making, with plans to scale it up to benefit more businesses.
Prof. Asmah revealed that the initiative had attracted the interest of the Ghana Statistical Service, which had expressed its desire to collaborate with UCC to expand the programme into a national initiative.
He explained that while UCC had already signed its part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the University was awaiting the Ghana Statistical Service to complete its part of the agreement.
He further proposed the institution of a National Data Literacy Week to promote data literacy in the country.
Prof. Asmah also disclosed that UCC had submitted an updated proposal requesting the Bank to consider upgrading the initiative into a Centre of Excellence, with the possibility of establishing a Bank of Ghana Research Chair to drive research in data intelligence and policy analytics.
He noted that the proposal aligns with the Bank of Ghana's commitment to financial stability, digital finance, evidence-based monetary policy and human capital development.
Prof. Asmah commended the Governor for his leadership and the country's improving economic stability, expressing optimism that a partnership between the Bank of Ghana and UCC would create a lasting legacy in data intelligence, financial sector modernisation, informal sector development and national capacity building.
Welcoming the delegation, Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BOG), Dr Johnson Asiama, expressed gratitude to the team from the School of Economics for the visit.
He said the Bank of Ghana had introduced a new educational Observership programme to give university students direct exposure to the work of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) as part of efforts to make its policy rate setting more transparent and easily understandable to the public.
The programme, according to him, would also help to strengthen policy credibility and linkages between academia and policy institutions.
He said the initiative was dubbed the “MPC Educational Observership Programme (MPC EOP),” and would target students of economics and related fields, exposing them to how decisions that affect interest rates, inflation and the exchange rate were reached.
He stressed that the educational programme also adds a direct and experiential layer to the communication strategy of the Central Bank, which for many years used communiqués and media announcements as the main public window into the Committee’s deliberations.
The Governor said the management of the Bank would look through the request on the expansion of Data Literacy and establishment of the Smart Data for Development Centre for the School of Economics.
The Dean of the School of Economics, Prof. Isaac Dasmani, in a brief remark, thanked the Governor and his team for the warm hospitality and said the School would continue to partner with the Bank for mutual benefits.
The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Daniel Agyapong, used the occasion to present a memento to the Governor.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
