Africa must develop human capital to drive economic growth – Mahama
Former President John Dramani Mahama delivered a keynote address at the London School of Economics (LSE), where he emphasized the importance of African leaders focusing on developing human capital to drive economic growth.
Mahama highlighted the significant changes in the digital landscape over the past decade and the emergence of new job roles within Africa.
In a post shared on Facebook, Mahama noted that the job market is evolving rapidly, necessitating an evolution in the education systems across the continent.
He called for a shift beyond traditional academic learning to include vocational and technical training, aligning with the technological advancements of the current era.
Mahama stressed the need for Africa to develop the human capital required to propel its economies forward. He emphasized that the digital landscape has undergone significant changes, with many job roles that exist today being non-existent or just emerging in Africa a decade ago.
As a result, Mahama argued that it is imperative for education systems to evolve accordingly.
The former president advocated for embracing technology and innovation, expanding beyond academic learning to emphasize vocational and technical training.
He highlighted that the career aspirations of children today reflect the technological evolution, and it is the responsibility of leaders to ensure that they are prepared for the future job market.
Mahama’s remarks underscored the importance of investing in human capital development as a critical strategy for driving economic growth and ensuring the competitiveness of African nations in the global economy.
