Gov’t will use ICT to transform newly created regions – Ursula

The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has said government is poised to use Information Communication Technology – ICT to transform the newly created regions.

Speaking at the 3rd Girls in ICT event held at Akyerensua in the Ahafo Region, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful hinted on a monitoring mechanism employed by her ministry to ensure the tools given and the knowledge impacted are utilized for the intended purpose.

“We are focusing on the new regions so not to leave anyone behind. We shall follow up to ensure the skills acquired are put to good use” she said.

Under the theme; Access and Safety, this year’s girls in ICT is looking at access of internet for girls and the safety of users.

The best 100 girls were presented with laptops and certificates. The best 20 girls will have fully furnished ICT laboratories established in the schools.

The legislator noted the STEM education site at Akrodie, a suburb of Goaso will be used to advance ICT studies for many that will like to pursue their interest in the field of Science, Engineering and ICT.

She also hinted that more computer laboratories and Rural Telephony Sites are being constructed to enhance the voice and data connectivity for the rural folks in the region.

However, she reminded the people to register their SIM cards before July to avoid it being blocked.

“We are not going to extend the deadline for registration of the SIM cards again because the deadline has been extended already, make sure you register by the end of July because we want to use that to fight cybercrime in the country. I am appealing to all of you to get a Ghana Card and use it to register otherwise you’ll lose your card either for voice or data services” she indicated.

Regional Minister for the Ahafo Region, George Yaw-Boakye in his welcome address expressed gratitude to the Ministry for considering such a young region as part of beneficiaries for the Girls in ICT initiative.

He thanked Mrs. Ursula Owusu Ekuful for her great work towards ensuring that ICT education is spread across the country and bridging the digital gender gap.

12-Year-Old Juliet Wins

A 12 year old Juliet Delali, a pupil from the Sankore D/A Junior High School was crowned winner at the end of the Girls-in-ICT contest in the region.

She received a cash price of 3000gh, a plaque and the establishment of an ultra-modern ICT laboratory centre in her school.

The Minister, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful after presenting her with the prize urged her to take up an interest in the ICT space and practice whatever she has learnt throughout the programme.

The Minister also defended the decision to do the programme for only girls and called for more support to expand it to other levels of education.

According to her, positive feedbacks from previous regions have energized the ministry to expand the programme to other parts of the country although the initial plan was for a region per year.

“The COVID-19 showed us how important ICT is in the activities of life since many of our educational and religious activities were delivered through digital channels when the world was under lock down”.

On his part, a representative from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Eric Mensah Bonsu said the Youth empowerment concept through the initiative is enormous and must be supported by all. He urged the girls to take the expert advice from the mentors to shape up their careers especially in the field of ICT.

Administrator for the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC), Prince Sefah Fosu revealed that, there would be an upcoming initiative by the agency to provide 120 communities with free Wi-Fi for the next four years.

He pledged his agency’s continuous support for the Girls in ICT initiative.

About Girls-in-ICT

The Girls-in-ICT is an initiative of the International telecommunications Union (ITU), aimed at introducing young girls to basic ICT skills.

Also it is meant to empower and encourage girls and young women to acquire digital skills and consider studies and careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies.

Ghana has adopted the initiative and observed it on a regional basis through the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation headed by Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

It has already been celebrated in Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern, Volta, Western, Western North, North East, Central and Oti Regions.

The program involves the training of trainers who at the end trains the girls.

Training is being held amidst business competitions among various groups to select the most outstanding. Prizes are awarded to deserving persons and groups.