The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation has launched the Girls in ICT Initiative in the Upper West Region with a ceremony at the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies in Wa last Monday.
The initiative seeks to bridge the digital gender gap by equipping young girls with practical ICT skills that will prepare them to take an active role in the digital space.
A total of 1,000 girls from across the region have been selected to undergo training in digital literacy, coding, cybersecurity, and creative digital tools. At the end of the training, the top 100 girls will each receive laptops, while the top three performers will be awarded special prizes.
One hundred teachers have been selected from all eleven districts in the region to take part in the one-week ICT workshop. These teachers will return to their schools to impact the knowledge gained, and the best ten among them will also be recognised and awarded.
Speaking at the launch, Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, stressed the importance of empowering girls to embrace technology, urging the teachers to impact the young female innovators.
“The Real measure of this initiative lies in how effectively you would inspire, mentor and nurture the next generation of our female innovates”, he said.
The Real measure of this initiative lies in how effectively you would inspire, mentor and nurture the next generation of our female innovates
“In today’s interconnected world, ICT is the backbone of every economy and society. No nation can thrive if half of its population is left without digital transformation. It’s against this backdrop that government is training you to intend train our girls to be able to function in our interconnected world today”
In today’s interconnected world, ICT is the backbone of every economy and society. No nation can thrive if half of its population is left without digital transformation. It’s against this backdrop that government is training you to intend train our girls to be able to function in our interconnected world today
He also urged stakeholders, including parents, educators, community leaders, and civil society to work together to create a safe and supportive environment for girls pursuing ICT opportunities.
The Regional Director of Education, Mr. Razak Abdul korah, urged the teachers to simplify the methodology to impact the students as they are deliberately selected to be models in their normal day classes. He, however, challenged them to make the Upper West region the best out of the three regions being launched this year.
Bawah Shaibu, Deputy Head of Training at the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), said the role of the teachers is to safeguard the training devices, which are crucial for the start of the program in equipping young minds with valuable skills.
“GIFEC is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders, particularly girls, though we believe this program would equip these young minds with the valuable skills, but also inspire them to pursue careers in digital technology”, he added.
GIFECT is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders, particularly girls, though we believe this program would equip these young minds with the valuable skills, but also inspire them to pursue careers in digital technology
The launch in Wa forms part of a national program that will benefit three thousand girls across the Volta, Upper East and the Upper West Regions this year. By combining student training with teacher development, the initiative will ensure long-term sustainability and contribute to Ghana’s commitment to digital inclusion, quality education, and gender equality.
Seimwini Inaam Seidu and Digme Robert
Wa, Upper West Regin.
