Tech communities from around the world

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We have all heard that San Franciso, London and Singapore are some of the top tech capitals of the world. However, we want to highlight some lesser-known tech hubs where many of our community members are based and might be up and coming tech hubs of the future. Starting with Ghana, a country in Western Africa noted for its vast natural reserves, is the first in a series of articles highlighting "tech hotspots," where we check out the innovative tech communities and tech hubs around the globe.
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Technology and tech-communities in Ghana:

According to the 2019 World Bank survey, Ghana ranks third, closely behind Nigeria and South Africa, in economic advancements using technology. The digital transformation and the rise of developer communities in Ghana make it easier for the tech talents to stay abreast with the tech market trends.

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The Digital Times, Ghana reiterates the presence of startup hubs and tech communities that are working towards futuristic innovations in technology and software development. To ensure that cutting-edge technologies contribute to Ghana's economic progress, the country's best tech communities provide resources to developers and tech talents. As a result, many tech talents from Ghana are doing exceptionally well in the global tech market. Notchup has some highly skilled SW developers with us who have significantly contributed to our community.

Before meeting the developers in Ghana, let us look at the tech hotspot and tech communities in Ghana and their work in making the country a forerunner in the scheme of things.  

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Tech hotspots in Ghana:

Ghana has several tech hotspot driving innovation and growth in the country's tech industry. Here are some of the top tech hotspots in Ghana:

1. Accra: As the capital city of Ghana, Accra also forms the major hub of the country's tech industry. It is home to several tech startups, incubators, and accelerators, including MEST Africa, iSpace, and the Ghana Tech Lab.

2. Kumasi: Kumasi is the second-largest city in Ghana and is emerging as a major tech hotspot. It is home to the Kumasi Hive, a tech innovation hub that provides co-working spaces, training, and mentorship to tech startups.

3. Takoradi: Takoradi is a coastal city in western Ghana and is home to several tech companies, including Ghana Dot Com and RigWorld Solutions.

4. Tema: Tema is a city located on the coast of Ghana and is known for its industrial and commercial activities. It is also home to several tech companies, including the IT firm, DreamOval.

5. Cape Coast: Cape Coast is a historic city in Ghana and is home to the University of Cape Coast, which has some vibrant tech communities. It is also home to the Ghana Code Club, an organization that teaches coding skills to children.

These are just a few of the top tech hotspot in Ghana. As Ghana's tech industry continues to grow and evolve, we expect to see more emerging tech hubs in Ghana.

Tech-hubs in Ghana and their significance

Tech hubs are a vital component of Ghana's developing technology ecosystem. They are places where entrepreneurs, coders, and other people associated with the tech industry can meet, share ideas, and work together to develop new ways to solve local and global challenges. Here are some of top tech hubs in Ghana and their significance:

MEST Africa: MEST Africa is a tech hub in Africa that helps tech startups all over the continent by giving them money, training, and assistance. Its Accra incubator is one of the most important tech hubs in Ghana. It offers startups an extensive selection of resources and opportunities.

Kumasi Hive: The tech creativity hub in Kumasi, the second largest city in Ghana, helps tech startups by giving them co-working places, training, and mentors, focusing on social effects and growth of tech communities.

Ghana IT Lab: Ghana Tech Lab is one of the tech hubs in Ghana that provides training, coaching, and assistance to Ghanaian IT innovators. The program helps professional talent develop their technical skill sets. It offers young developers the tools to use technology to tackle issues on both national and international levels.

iSpace Foundation: The iSpace Foundation is a tech hub in Ghana that gives tech startups co-working places, training, and advice. It is an essential tool for business owners who want to improve their skills and build successful companies.

DreamOval Limited: As an IT company serving clients in Ghana and globally with custom software applications, it plays a pivotal role in Ghana's innovation scene and has helped the country's tech sector thrive.

The tech hubs in Ghana play a vital role in promoting growth, innovation, and cooperation in the country's tech sector and tech communities. They are a crucial part of Ghana's digital revolution since they supply numerous resources and possibilities to companies: developers, and other stakeholders.

Languages/Skillsets to look out for from developers in Ghana

The developers in Ghana have combined technical skills and soft skills to make the most of the global tech market. During your search for developers in Ghana, you will come across specialized skill sets that include:

Full stack Java developer: A full stack Java developer is a skilled professional with expertise in both front-end and back-end web development. They are capable of designing and developing complete web applications from scratch, including user interfaces, server-side logic, databases, and APIs. The developers in Ghana also have knowledge of Java frameworks such as Spring, Hibernate, and Struts, as well as front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, credit of this goes to their fast-growing tech communities. Full stack developer jobs are in high demand globally, tech companies are seeking full stack java developers with experience in frameworks such as Spring Boot, Angular, React and Vue.js which can deliver their work efficiently at low cost. So, if you are looking to hire remote Java developer, it is worth considering developers in Ghana.

Dedicated Python developers: Dedicated Python developers are professional talent who specialize in the Python programming language and work exclusively on developing software applications using Python. They have in-depth knowledge of Python's syntax, libraries, and frameworks, making them experts in developing high-quality software solutions. Python as a programming language is versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications like data analysis, artificial intelligence, and building websites.

Developers with good Python skills experience are in high demand in the current global market. Demand for Python developers increased by 41% worldwide. Many companies in the IT industry, finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and more are actively seeking dedicated Python developers to work on various projects. Lot of dedicated python developers are working on the project in tech hubs in Ghana.

React JS and React Native freelancer: With the rising usage of web and mobile applications in Ghana, ReactJS and React Native is becoming an increasingly vital skill set. As a result, equipped with the necessary skill sets, many React Native freelancer with experience in Android and iOS are all set to conquer the tech world.

Agile technology: Agile development approaches are becoming increasingly popular in tech communities of Ghana and worldwide. Companies seek engineers with experience in agile frameworks such as Scrum and Kanban.

Cloud Computing: Cloud computing is vital for hosting online applications, storing data, and operating virtual computers. As a result, cloud-savvy developers are in great demand in Ghana right now.

Solidity Developers: While the number of Solidity developers in Ghana is low compared to other countries, the country is showing increasing enthusiasm for block chain and crypto currency development, which might lead to a rise in the number of Solidity developers in the future.

The languages and skill set the companies seek in Ghana or anywhere in the world are unlimited. The skill sets depend entirely upon the present popularity or the requirements of today, and the best way to remain in the race is to keep up to date on the skills.

Let’s hear it from our tech talents from Ghana!

Kwame Twum: Team Lead

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1. When did you join Notchup, and how did you come to know about it?  
   I joined Notchup in February 2022. I found Notchup’s profile on LinkedIn.
   

2. _What do you specialize in as far as your skill sets as a developer?
   ‍My core specialties are NodeJS and PHP. I work as a team leader to enhance platform performance.  

3. Tell us about your journey so far, in your career as a developer.  
   I have 8+ years of experience in handling projects with REST API, PHP, Javascript, NodeJs, ExpressJS, Flutter, MySQL, Web Design, HTML, CSS.

4. What are you working on with Notchup?
   In Notchup, I am a part of four team – Recommendation.algo, MVP_ experts, Enterprises application development and full stack team. I work towards creating a better experience for the users of the Notchup’s platform.

5. ^What do you like most about working with Notchup, and what would you like to change?  
   I work remotely, which is fun since I work from different locations and at a comfortable pace. Our salaries are paid promptly as well. I'd change nothing for now.

6. What can you tell about Ghana as a tech hub? How strong do you think is Ghana’s tech community?
   While Ghana has come very far as a tech community, with lot of developers working on tech hubs, and new tech startups coming in, it's still in development stage. The adoption rate of new tech is still relatively low. However, there are a lot of hubs dedicated to bringing inclusivity.

7. Do you know anyone else who is working from your country? If so, what do they specialize in?
   Castro Agbo works with me on Notchup platform. Apart from him, there are two other developers from Ghana, David Quartey, Adolf Woru, who are also registered on the Notchup platform.

Castro Agbo: FE

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1. When did you join Notchup, and how did you come to know about it?  
   I joined Notchup in September 2022. I got the reference when I was browsing for an opportunity on LinkedIn.

2. What do you specialize in as far as your skill sets as a developer?
   I specialize in React and Full-stack web development. I am a part of the Enterprises application development on Notchup.

3. What are you working on with Notchup?
   I am currently working on Zeru Earth. a platform where individuals can take verifiable climate action every day. With our fintech calculator, individuals can connect any debit/credit card and estimate the carbon footprint of their transactions. I am a Frontend developer on the project.

4. What do you like most about working with Notchup, and what would you like to change?
   I like the remote flexible work schedule and working with people from all backgrounds, from different parts of the world.

5. What can you tell about Ghana as a tech hub? How strong do you think is Ghana’s tech community?
   While the good part is there are great opportunities now for developers and tech talents who know their stuff well. So, if you are an expert, you will have good opportunities. The drawback is that while there are opportunities the average pay is not up to industry standard, which is why we now have the opportunity to work with tech companies around the globe on a remote basis.  

6. Do you know anyone else who is working from your country? If so, what do they specialize in?
   Kwame, who is also from Ghana specializes in Backend development. There are many others on the platform working from Ghana, and who are registered as developers.