A robotics and automation laboratory at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa has been launched as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s digital skills base and support industrial transformation.
The facility, known as RoboTechLabs, was inaugurated by Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister Samuel Nartey George, who said the initiative forms part of a broader government strategy to position Ghana within the global shift toward automation, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
“RoboTechLabs speaks directly to the second and third pillars. Ghana has made clear its ambition to become a leading digital hub in Africa. However, infrastructure and policies alone are not enough. The true engine of digital transformation is human capital”, he said.
The project is a partnership between German engineering firm ibes AG and the university, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit through its develoPPP programme. The initiative aims to improve employability and increase youth participation in robotics and automation while supporting Ghana’s broader digital innovation agenda.
George described the project as a strategic investment in Ghana’s future, noting that the launch of the facility goes beyond inaugurating a laboratory and represents a step toward equipping the country to design, deploy and govern emerging technologies. He said nations that successfully integrate robotics and automation into their education and industrial systems will gain a competitive advantage in the evolving global economy.
According to the minister, Ghana’s digital transformation strategy rests on three pillars: expanding resilient and inclusive digital infrastructure, accelerating digital skills development across society and strengthening innovation ecosystems capable of supporting high-value technology industries.
The RoboTechLabs initiative, he said, will help bridge the gap between academic instruction and industry application by giving students and professionals practical exposure to robotics, automation systems, embedded engineering and industrial control technologies.
George also highlighted ongoing government programmes aimed at developing future-ready digital talent, including the National Digital Skills Programme and the One Million Coders Programme, which focus on fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics and software engineering.
He added that the government is working through institutions including the National Information Technology Agency, the Cyber Security Authority and Ghana Digital Centres Limited to build secure, innovation-focused environments that support technology growth and entrepreneurship.
Robotics and automation are increasingly important across key sectors of the economy, including mining, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and energy, George said, adding that institutions such as the University of Mines and Technology are well placed to drive applied technological innovation in industrial and extractive sectors central to Ghana’s economy.
He also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between academia, development partners and the private sector to build sustainable innovation ecosystems capable of supporting technological progress and economic growth.
Resal Saberi, project manager of GIZ’s develoPPP programme, said the initiative reflects the importance of partnerships in advancing robotics, automation and digital skills development. She described the project as a collaborative effort supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit through the develoPPP programme in partnership with ibes AG and the University of Mines and Technology.
Saberi said the project demonstrates how public and private sector actors can work together to develop solutions that benefit businesses, local institutions and sustainable development. She added that the establishment of the RoboTechLab will provide a state-of-the-art environment where students and professionals can gain hands-on experience in robotics and automation while strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
The facility is expected to equip young professionals with practical skills needed to respond to rapidly evolving technologies shaping sectors including mining, manufacturing, agriculture and logistics.
