Ghana's government and business process outsourcing industry have launched an ambitious initiative to create 100,000 new jobs and position the West African nation as a globally competitive outsourcing destination. The announcement came during the country's first High-Level Government-Industry Roundtable held in Accra.
The Business Outsourcing Services Association Ghana (BOSAG) organized the strategic meeting in partnership with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI). Fortune 500 technology and services company Concentrix hosted the event, which brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, and development partners.
Government Commits to Digital Transformation
Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Samuel Nartey George reaffirmed government commitment to the outsourcing sector during the roundtable. He described BOSAG as "a critical instrument in Ghana's digital transformation agenda."
"For me, the One Million Coders is not just a political tool. Outcomes matter more than training numbers."
George announced that his Ministry would coordinate with the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) to enhance investor attraction and market access efforts. The Minister linked the sector's growth directly to the One Million Coders Programme, which has now launched across more than 150 training centres nationwide.
Expanding Beyond Accra
The government expressed readiness to repurpose state-owned properties for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Global Business Services (GBS) operations where proven demand exists. George urged outsourcing companies to expand operations beyond Accra into regions offering lower real estate costs and multilingual talent pools.
This expansion strategy aligns with career development opportunities the government seeks to create across multiple regions to support diversified service delivery.
Africa's Market Share Challenge
BOSAG Chief Executive Officer David Gowu revealed that Africa controls only 2.8 percent of the global outsourcing industry, despite the sector being valued at approximately $1.5 trillion worldwide. He noted that while South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia aggressively compete for outsourcing investment, Ghana continues growing largely through organic expansion rather than coordinated promotion.
Concentrix Country Manager Ryan Keilloh highlighted his company's local impact, employing more than 1,200 young Ghanaians with over 130 promoted into leadership roles this year. These developments demonstrate the sector's potential for productivity growth and career advancement opportunities.
Five Priority Action Areas
TBI advisors identified five priority areas requiring urgent action to achieve the ambitious job creation target. These include political advocacy to build investor confidence, skills alignment, demand generation, infrastructure and real estate repurposing, and enabling market access reforms.
National Communications Authority (NCA) Board Chair Mavis Ampah Sintim-Misa declared that Ghana had moved beyond the emerging phase of the BPO and GBS industry. The roundtable's theme, "Positioning Ghana as a Competitive Global BPO/GBS Destination: From Strategy to Execution," reflects the country's shift from planning to implementation.
The government's commitment to coordinate multiple ministries and agencies signals a comprehensive approach to developing Ghana's outsourcing ecosystem, potentially transforming the nation into a major player in the global technology services market.