Ghana has taken another step toward strengthening its digital and technological capacity with the launch of a RoboTechLab at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa.
The initiative, launched by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, seeks to advance robotics education and equip young Ghanaians with critical digital skills needed for the country’s industrial transformation.
The RoboTechLab is the result of a partnership between German IT company ibes AG and the University of Mines and Technology under the develoPPP Programme. The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The initiative aims to improve employability and expand youth participation in emerging technological fields such as robotics, automation, embedded engineering and industrial control systems—areas widely regarded as essential for Ghana’s industrial modernisation.
Speaking at the launch, the Project Manager of GIZ’s develoPPP Programme, Resal Saberi, described the RoboTechLab as a powerful example of how collaboration between the public and private sectors can produce practical solutions that support both industry growth and sustainable development.
According to her, the facility will provide a modern learning environment where students and professionals can gain hands-on experience in robotics and automation technologies while strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
She noted that the skills acquired through the lab will help prepare young professionals to respond to rapidly evolving technologies that are reshaping sectors such as mining, manufacturing, agriculture and logistics.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Dean of the Office of Research, Innovation and Consultancy at UMaT, Professor Michael Affam, described the launch as a significant milestone for the university.
He explained that the RoboTechLab project emerged from strong collaboration between ibes AG, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the University of Mines and Technology, with the goal of expanding practical training in ICT-driven robotics and automation.
Prof. Affam stressed that the initiative responds directly to the growing global demand for highly skilled professionals in advanced technology fields while addressing concerns about the shortage of specialised technical skills among graduates.
In his keynote address, Samuel Nartey George described the RoboTechLab as a strategic investment in Ghana’s technological future as the global economy increasingly embraces robotics, automation, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing systems.
He explained that the initiative goes beyond the creation of a physical facility and represents a deliberate step toward strengthening Ghana’s capacity to design, deploy and manage emerging technologies.
The Minister commended the project’s development partners for supporting Ghana’s technological ecosystem and investing in the next generation of innovators.
He reiterated that government’s digital transformation agenda focuses on expanding inclusive digital infrastructure, accelerating digital skills development and strengthening innovation ecosystems that can support high-value technology industries.
According to him, the RoboTechLab directly supports these objectives by helping bridge the gap between academic learning and industry application.
The Minister highlighted several government initiatives aimed at equipping young Ghanaians with future-ready digital skills, including the National Digital Skills Programme and the One Million Coders Programme, which focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics and software engineering.
He further noted that the government is working through key institutions including the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) and Ghana Digital Centres Limited (GDCL) to build secure and innovation-ready digital ecosystems.
With robotics and automation becoming increasingly vital across industries such as mining, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and energy, the Minister emphasised that institutions like the University of Mines and Technology are well positioned to lead applied technological innovation in sectors central to Ghana’s economic development.
The RoboTechLab is therefore expected to serve as a catalyst for innovation, skills development and industry collaboration as Ghana positions itself to compete in the rapidly evolving global digital economy.
