Ghana tipped to dominate ICT sector in West Africa

INNOVATIONS

By Nana Appiah Acquaye, Accra, Ghana

The Country Consultant for internet recruitment and advertising firm Jobberman Ghana, Jide Otoki, has expressed optimism on Ghana’s future as a key technological hub within the West African sub–region.

According to him, with the emergence of incubators, start-ups and tech-inclined entrepreneurs who believe in the technological revolution, coupled with a thriving environment for ICT companies, Ghana definitely has what it takes to hold reign over the ICT market in the sub-region.

Otoki shared his thoughts with BiztechAfrica on Jobberman’s prospects in Ghana:

NA: What role does Jobberman play in the field of advertising and job recruitment services?

JO: From inception, Jobberman set out to be the differentiator by putting the best into quality and processes that translates into connecting employers and jobseekers while creating the most unique experience.

Jobberman’s position in the field of advertising and recruitment services is a unique one as we are able to satisfy employers and at the same help reduce the unemployment rate in the West African sub-region. Our offering is quite unique because all of the frontline recruitment services like job advertising, applications sorting and career services we offer put us in a position to be a service supplier to HR and recruiting firms.

NA: Who is behind the establishment of Jobberman in Ghana?

JO: In 2009, Jobberman was birthed on the ‘intellectual soils’ of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife by the 2012 Future Awards nominee trio of Ayodeji Adewunmi, Olalekan Olude and Opeyemi Awoyemi.

They have since grown Jobberman to be the one stop destinations for Jobs and Jobseekers in West Africa. There are many accolades from reputable establishments like Forbes, TNW, and Mckinsey attesting to the fact that we are doing something right. We have offices in all the major cities in Nigeria and the Accra office is the flagship of the Ghana operations. The Ghana operation is being headed by my humble self Jide Otoki as the Country Consultant.

NA: Why did Jobberman choose Ghana as its second point of doing business?

JO: Most importantly, Jobberman is determined to empower as many people as possible. Meanwhile, Ghana is fast becoming the top choice destination for investment in Africa because of the enabling environment created for business to thrive there. Since many businesses are moving in to Ghana, invariably jobs will be created and Jobberman is in Ghana to make this opportunities and experiences available to all.  Considering all of these, coming to Ghana became inevitable.

NA: How does Jobberman.com.gh intend promoting the use of ICT in Ghana?

JO: A great man once said ‘knowledge shared is never lost’. Chiefly, the transfer of knowledge and adoption of technology are the key ways Jobberman.com.gh will be contributing its bit to the forming of the ICT landscape in Ghana.

Jobberman.co.gh as an internet company has most contact with its audience on the internet so; all of the applications on Jobberman.com.gh are done online. Also, all of the technologies we use in-house to run our operations in Ghana will be transferred to our local staff. Having realized that the power of technology lies in its applications and uses, we are also looking into mentoring and acquisition of local talent.

NA: What role does the use of ICT plays in the core activities of Jobberman?

JO: Contemporarily, no serious minded organization should be without the numerous solutions of ICT in its operations.

Stating the obvious, Jobberman.com.gh is as an internet company runs its operations from the internet.  The activities of Jobberman.com.gh are conducted with servers, computers, software, internet, online social media and each one has varying degrees of influence on our services.

The most important technology of the 21^st century – the internet –  has broken the barriers created by time and space making it possible for all our users across Ghana to make applications from the comfort of their homes or offices using their mobile phones or computers and not having to go to the post office to mail their applications. Interestingly, having processed millions of applications in the past three years, we have come appreciate the power of technology.

NA: What special ICT tools or innovations is Jobberman going to deploy onto the Ghanaian advertising and career development or opportunity market?

JO: In terms of business management, our approaches and solutions are totally tech savvy. From the point where we receive the job ads, to the point where the clients is fully satisfied, Jobberman.com.gh uses the latest ICT products and services. Definitely, these services will be transferred to the business partners, associates and staff. For instance, we have one of the most robust CRM tools around and managing the sales and customers is a symmetric process.

NA: Does the Business Climate in Ghana’s support the use of ICT, and how effective are you going to harness that to your advantage?

JO: It is quite commendable to say that, the infrastructural support for ICT in Ghana is well defined and reliable. Unlike most places in Africa that are still batting with basic support systems like power and reliable data services, Ghana has a vibrant industry of service providers in the ICT industry that will continue to funnel their service to business owners willing to pay the right price.

Jobberman.com.gh will be outsourcing some of its needs to qualified service providers. All of these just mean that we have one less to worry about and we can focus on the core of business.

NA: How do you see the Ghanaian ICT sector and that of Jobberman in the next 5 years to come?

JO: The years ahead are surely going to be eventful and reward for both Ghana and Jobberman.com.gh. At the prevailing growth rate, the ICT sector in Ghana will have doubled its current size. Jobberman.com.gh position as the Largest Jobs portal in West Africa will be cemented in Ghana and 2 million professionals will have gotten jobs through Jobberman.com.gh.

NA: In your personal opinion, does Ghana has what it takes to dominate the technological sector in the West Africa sub region and what would that mean for Jobberman?

JO: The disadvantage for Africa in the global ICT sphere is that we consume a lot of finished products. Development comes at a price and Ghana at the moment is paying the price by investing heavily in the education and adoption of different technologies for the Americans, Chinese and Europeans. Incubators, Start-ups and Entrepreneurs are finding their way to Ghana because of the thriving environment that exists in Ghana for ICT companies. Ghana definitely has what it takes to hold reign over the ICT market in the sub-region. Jobberman.com.gh is will always be there to provide the connection for employers and jobseekers.