Synopsis
Professionalism, Standards and the ICT Ecosystem for National Development
As Ghana accelerates its digital transformation journey, the conversation is increasingly shifting beyond technology adoption to the people, standards, and institutions that make digital innovation sustainable. While significant investments are being made in digital infrastructure, platforms, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, fintech, e-government services, and digital entrepreneurship, the long-term success of these initiatives depends on the competence, ethics, professionalism, and accountability of the professionals who design, implement, secure, and manage them.
Held under the National ICT Week 2026 theme, “Innovation at Scale: Creating Opportunities Across Ghana’s Digital Ecosystem,” this session explores the critical role of ICT professionalism and standards as foundational enablers of innovation, trust, and national development. It will examine how Ghana can build a strong and globally competitive ICT profession through recognized standards, competency frameworks, continuous professional development, accreditation, ethical practice, and stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia, regulators, and professional bodies.
The session will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, employers, regulators, educators, practitioners, and students to discuss the future of ICT practice in Ghana and the importance of creating clear professional pathways for current and future generations of technology professionals. Discussions will focus on strengthening trust in the digital ecosystem, enhancing workforce readiness, improving service quality, promoting innovation, and ensuring that Ghana’s digital economy is supported by highly skilled and professionally accountable practitioners.
Ultimately, the session seeks to spark a national conversation on how professional excellence, industry standards, and lifelong learning can help position Ghana as a leading digital innovation hub while creating meaningful opportunities for citizens, businesses, and public institutions. It will also highlight the role of the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH) in advancing professionalism, capacity development, and industry collaboration as key pillars of Ghana’s digital future.
Day 3: ICT Professionals Forum (IIPGH)
August 19, 2026
Accra International Conference Center
Moderator: Mary Ama Bawa
The ICT Professionals Forum is dedicated to strengthening professional standards, ethics, certification, inclusivity, and workforce development within Ghana’s ICT sector. The forum brings together leaders from academia, industry, professional associations, and regulatory bodies to discuss the future of ICT professionalism and its role in national development.
Programme Summary
- Opening Remarks (11:30am to 11:40am)
Topic: Overview by the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH)
Speaker: R. Kafui Amanfu, Executive Director, IIPGH - Keynote Presentations (11:40am to 12:10pm)
Keynote 1
Topic: The Future of Ghana’s ICT Profession: Why Standards and Professionalism Matter
Speaker: Desmond Israel, Esq., Lecturer and Head of Department, Public Law and Governance, GIMPA
Keynote 2
Topic: Innovation at Scale Requires Professionalism at Scale
Speaker: David Gowu, President, TICON Africa
- Executive Panel Discussion (12:10pm to 1:00pm)
Topic: Why ICT Professionalism Matters to Every Student, Professional, Business and Public Institution in Ghana
Panelists: Desmond Israel, Esq., GIMPA | Dr. Maud Ashong Elliot, President, ISOC Ghana | David Gowu, President, TICON Africa | Alhaji Sherrif Issah, Senior Manager, Deloitte - Case Studies and Knowledge Sharing (2:00pm to 3:30pm)
Case Study 1: Impact of the CSA Industry Forum
Presenter: Alhaji Sherrif Issah, Deloitte
Case Study 2: Building Inclusivity for Professionals
Presenters: Gifty Mottey, Director of Administration, IIPGH | Mawuse Nyavor-Dusi, Digital Innovations Project Manager, Consolidated Bank Ghana
Case Study 3: Lessons from ICT Association of Zambia (ICTAZ)
Presenter: Dr. Clement Sinyangwe, President, ICT Association of Zambia
- Interactive Dialogue and Q&A (3:30pm to 4:15pm)
A stakeholder engagement session for discussions, questions, and recommendations on advancing ICT professionalism in Ghana. - Recommendations and Declaration (4:15pm to 4:45pm)
Topic: Recommendations and Declaration by IIPGH and Academic City University
Presenters: Emmanuel Gadasu, CEO, GITPLUS | Dr. Peter Tettey Yamak, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Computational Sciences and Informatics, Academic City University - Closing Remarks (4:45pm to 5:00pm)
Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH)
Speaker Lineup
- R. Kafui Amanfu (IIPGH)
- Desmond Israel, Esq. (GIMPA)
- David Gowu (TICON Africa)
- Dr. Maud Ashong Elliot (ISOC Ghana)
- Alhaji Sherrif Issah (Deloitte)
- Gifty Mottey (IIPGH)
- Mawuse Nyavor-Dusi (Consolidated Bank Ghana)
- Dr. Clement Sinyangwe (ICT Association of Zambia)
- Emmanuel Gadasu (GITPLUS)
- Dr. Peter Tettey Yamak (Academic City University)