Objectives
The primary objective of GMIC is to help start-ups and growing businesses through the critical period by offering a supportive and sharing environment. The objective is further explained below:
- Promote entrepreneurship in the ICT sector
- Boost job creation in the ICT sector
- Develop linkages with other institutions
- Develop the man power pool for the outsourcing industries
- Boost job creation in the BPO sector
BACKGROUND
The government of Ghana envisaged the potential of ICT as an enabling tool for leveraging economic development. With this vision in mind and through a consultative process, the government adopted and launched an ICT for Accelerated Development Policy (ICT4AD) in 2003.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to build a better life. This global network aids human development by focusing on poverty, crisis resolutions, energy, environment, gender, communications, information technology, and the like. Its current priority is to help all countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.
With UNDP Ghana’s cardinal policy of ensuring the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it has affirmed its commitment to the implementation and effect delivery of the Government of Ghana ICT Policy (ICT4AD).
This commitment has resulted in a partnership between the Government of Ghana and the UNDP on several initiatives. One of these initiatives is the establishment of the ICT Entrepreneurship Development Programme executed at the Ghana Multimedia Incubator Centre.
The path to ENTREPRENEURSHIP is through innovation.
“Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace.” Kofi Annan, Former United Nations Secretary General.
THE CONCEPT
The Ghana Multimedia Incubator Centre is the first of a series of Incubator Centres to be established by the Ministry of Communication in collaboration with the Ministry of Private Sector Development, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the PSI. The Incubator concept is considered one of the best means of promoting business growth by effectively linking Talent, Technology, Capital and Professional know-how.
The Ghana Multimedia Incubator Centre is set up to help overcome bureaucratic obstacles and provides affordable Space and Business facilities, thus reducing the costs of Business Start-ups.
Most importantly, it will provide Advisory, Training and Information Services, Management and Marketing Support, linkages to Research facilities and access to Capital thereby greatly enhancing the chances of success of the early-stage “Technopreneur”, to coin a term.
