In the quest to break barriers in science and technology, and also improve Information and Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge among young ladies at the various schools in the country, the Ministry for Communications and Digitalisation has introduced Girls-In-ICT training programme for them.
The program forms part of strategic measures to ensure Ghana achieves the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.
The Girls-In-ICT programme, which was introduced in 2012 by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), was aimed at creating a global environment to empower and encourage girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICT.
The sector Minister, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, has paid a working visit to the Girls-In-ICT training centres in the Eastern region to monitor and evaluate the exercise, which is in collaboration with Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence (KACE).
She visited Aburi Girls Senior High School (SHS), Aburi Presbyterian Secondary Technical, Mampong Presbyterian Senior High School (SHS), Koforidua Regional Library, Koforidua Ghana Secondary, Koforidua SDA and Senior High School during the Eastern Regional tour.
Addressing the media on the overview of the project, the Minister indicated that the Ministry has selected 100 teachers with 1,000 girls from across all the districts of the region for the Girls-In-ICT programme.
“It will continue with a mentorship session whereby women currently working in the ICT Field share their personal and professional experiences with the Girls to encourage and guide them in their future careers and endeavors,’’ Ursula Owusu added.
She explained that the ministry would finally present awards for best-100 performing girls in the region and that they have been deliberate and focused to enhance the knowledge of young girls in ICT programs.
“We have to demystify and introduce more girls to ICT and digital technology. We have to let women know that their jobs aren’t only in the Arts, but even with the Arts, they need some form of digital skills to be able to succeed,” she said.
“We seem to behave as if all things technical, mechanical, digital, engineering, science, mathematics, are a male thing so women cannot excel in it and such thoughts have contributed to the huge gap between men and women in ICT in Ghana,” she added.
Ursula Owusu Ekuful continued that due to technological advancement, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) decided to make a difference and expose more girls to the wonders of ICT.
“Ghana has to demystify ICT and Digital Technology as well as allow women and girls know that their jobs are not only in the Arts,” she stated.
The Minister had an opportunity to interact with the girls and encouraged them to build their abilities in digital skills, ICT Industry and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Ursula Owusu revealed that measures were also being put in place to ensure that every Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS) student had his or her own laptop loaded with text books at the various schools in the county.
