Wa, Upper West Region – 8th September 2025
In a groundbreaking initiative to empower the next generation of female leaders in technology, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has launched a five-day training program in Wa, bringing together 100 educators from all 11 districts of the Upper West Region. This transformative program falls under the ambitious National Girls in ICT Initiative, which aims to equip young girls with essential digital skills and knowledge.
At the program’s opening ceremony, Austin Hesse, Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Ministry, underscored the significance of this training, stating it represents a pivotal advancement in shaping the digital future for many young Ghanaian girls. He pointed out the existing gender divide in technology, emphasising that 250 million more men are online than women. “The Girls in ICT Initiative presents a unique opportunity to close this participation gap,” he said, asserting that it is crucial for youth to transition from being mere consumers of digital technologies to active creators who can shape the digital landscape.
The Girls in ICT Initiative presents a unique opportunity to close this participation gap,
Hesse also highlighted complementary government efforts to bolster a digital-savvy workforce, citing the One Million Coders Programme, which has successfully trained over 900 young people in various fields such as coding, artificial intelligence, big data analysis, and cybersecurity.
Bawa Shaibu, Head of Training at the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), announced the Fund’s commitment to supporting participants in bridging the digital divide. He revealed exciting incentives to encourage excellence among the trainees, including laptops and cash prizes for outstanding performers. “The best three girls will be awarded cash prizes of GH¢3,500, GH¢3,000, and GH¢2,500, respectively, Ten(10) teachers will go home with brand new Laptops, Best Three (3) Teachers will be rewarded with GH¢1,000.00, The top 100 girls will also go home with a brand new Laptops each and 10 top-performing girls will benefit from refurbished or newly established ICT labs in their schools,” he stated.
The best three girls will be awarded cash prizes of GH¢3,500, GH¢3,000, and GH¢2,500, respectively, Ten(10) teachers will go home with brand new Laptops, Best Three (3) Teachers will be rewarded with GH¢1,000.00, The top 100 girls will also go home with a brand new Laptops each and 10 top-performing girls will benefit from refurbished or newly established ICT labs in their schools,
The Upper West Regional Director of Education, Abdul-Razak Korah, commended the thoughtful selection process that drew teachers directly from classrooms. He articulated that this training would create a ripple effect beyond the immediate goal of reaching 1,000 girls, as the knowledge acquired would extend to their regular students. “You may be one teacher drawn from your school, but your responsibility is to multiply yourself in your circuit. This initiative must not end here; it should transform everyday classroom teaching,” he emphasised.
In a moving keynote address, Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing Esq, extolled the teachers for their commitment and urged them to fully embrace the training. He noted, “When a girl gains ICT skills, she uplifts her peers, her family, and her community. You are the mentors and role models who will inspire them to break stereotypes and realise their limitless potential.”
“When a girl gains ICT skills, she uplifts her peers, her family, and her community. You are the mentors and role models who will inspire them to break stereotypes and realise their limitless potentia
The Regional Coordinating Council, according to Puozuing, is fully dedicated to supporting this initiative, ensuring that every girl can aspire boldly, navigate confidently, and flourish in the digital age.
Since its inception, the National Girls in ICT Initiative, in collaboration with development partners, has trained a remarkable 15,981 girls and 1,292 teachers nationwide in various digital skills, ranging from basic ICT literacy to advanced areas like coding and machine learning. This initiative not only promotes gender equality in technology but also paves the way for a brighter, more inclusive digital future for Ghana.
Simon T. Faayi
Public Relations UW/R
Wa.
