One To Watch 2014: Otema Yirenkyi

 Otema Yirenkyi, newly appointed Microsoft Ghana's country manager.

Title: Otema Yirenkyi to head Microsoft Ghana’s as firm's first female African country manager
By: Lilian Mutegi  Dated: 2-12-2013

Otema Yirenkyi has been appointed as Microsoft’s first female country manager in Africa to head up the company’s investment in Ghana.

 

With over 14 years of ICT experience, Otema’s appointment signifies a continued dedication to the long-term growth opportunities in the country even as Microsoft marks 10 years of operation in Ghana as well as shifting its global focus to a devices and services offering.

“We have seen tremendous growth in broadband availability and internet penetration in Ghana, as well as the introduction of newer devices such as tablets and smartphones, which have fundamentally changed how consumers experience and use technology,” said Otema.

 

With a current mobile penetration rate at an estimated 112%, these numbers are the highest in Africa, placing Ghana 49^th in the world and a leader in the continent  according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

 

This has also made Ghana  one of Microsoft’s critical investment markets in Africa..

 

“This always-on, always-connected era that we find ourselves in holds new promise for what technology can bring to people’s lives and to businesses. And it gives us an opportunity to use our technology, talent, time and money to help create sustainable growth in the country and across the African continent.”

 

Otema, has previously held several leadership positions in the ICT sector including director of Southern Africa at IBM.  Her focus in Ghana is to continue improving access to technology, skills development opportunities and resources.

 

Over the years and through a number of programmes, Microsoft has trained 15, 000 teachers, impacted over one million students, created over 1, 800 jobs, and supported 35 successful start-ups in Ghana. The company’s flagship African investment and growth initiative, Microsoft 4Afrika which  was launched in February this year to actively engage in Africa’s economic development and has further entrenched the company’s commitment to Ghana and its people, ensuring that technology plays a key role in the developing economy.

 

“This is an exciting time when the country is rapidly transforming, both economically and socially,” Otema says. “I hope to inspire a culture of innovation driven by technology and I am excited to be leading Microsoft’s era of expansion in Ghana.”

 

“We are delighted to have Otema on board in this critically important role,” said Hennie Loubser, General Manager of West, East, Central Africa and Indian Ocean Islands. “She has the track record and credentials to help grow this dynamic market and she is deeply committed to Africa’s economic development.”

 

One of Microsoft’s core projects in the country is its partnership with the Ghanaian Ministry of Education and the British Council, to set up ICT hubs in local schools and communities to accelerate digital literacy across the country. Falling under a regional project called Badiliko, 17digital hubs have been created in Ghana and Microsoft has trained 26 local Master Trainers who are serving as Digital Ambassadors and School Leader Facilitators in the hubs, helping over 1,700 people in Ghana become trained to date.

Source: http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/otema-yirenkyi-to-head-microsoft-ghana%E2%80%99s-as-firm's-first-female-african-country-manager



Paulina says: I must take this opportunity to thank my friend, he wears many hats.... Mr academic, journalist, teacher, art critic, cultural commentator, founder of Africa Talks and all-round intellectual voice of Ghana, Amos Anyimadu (http://www.youtube.com/africatalks & https://twitter.com/AfricaTalks) for the heads up with this lovely bit of news regarding Otema Yirenkyi, newly appointed Microsoft Ghana's country manager -a piece of news that has come to lift me out of a sort of...... 'state-of-the-nation-Ghanaian-Poli-trick-iscal-depression'

I'm sooo pleased for Otema Yirenkyi who has paid her dues "with over 14 years of ICT experience", and wish her all the best.. This is such positive joyous news..... so good for morale.. Otema Yirenkyi you are an inspiration to Ghanaian women. Thank you... x