National Girls-in-ICT Open Day: MTN, Vodafone, ATC host 100 young girls

In a significant stride towards bridging the digital gender gap, Vodafone Ghana, MTN Ghana, and American Tower Corporation Ghana (ATC) opened their doors last week to 100 young girls from the Bono East, Bono, and Ahafo regions, hosting them at their various headquarters in Accra for the National Girls-in-ICT Open Day.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, the initiative aligns seamlessly with the company’s core values of diversity and inclusion.

The girls, aged between 10 and 15, were treated to an engaging and informative day, filled with hands-on experiences that offered a glimpse into the diverse world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Activities ranged from a mentorship workshop to practical sessions on Cybersecurity, Robotics, Networking, Solutions Development, and Digital Transformation.

One of the enthusiastic participants, 13-year-old Yaa Awhenepa Osei, a student of Nkoranza Methodist Senior High School, expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization and Vodafone Ghana. She said, “This programme has boosted my initiative, interest, and confidence in pursing ICT.”

Vodafone Ghana

The mentoring sessions were led by the Vodafone Ghana Women in Technology team, providing key and basic information about the different aspects of technology.

They also provided valuable insights and inspiration in engaging sessions to encourage the girls to take up STEM learning.

Juliana Ametoworgo, an Radio Frequency Plan & Performance Specialist at Vodafone Ghana and one of the facilitators, said, “I found these mentoring sessions truly inspiring. Personally, I was very impressed with their interest and knowledge in technology, and I am confident with the right guidance these girls will be leading the technology space in the near future.”

Commenting on the significance on the event, Patricia Obo-Nai, CEO of Vodafone Ghana, said “This initiative is a stepping stone towards a future where young women see no boundaries in the ICT sector. By opening our doors and sharing our knowledge, we’re not just educating these girls about technology; we’re inspiring them to envision a world where they are the innovators, leaders, and change-makers. At Vodafone Ghana, we believe in the power of diversity, and we’re committed to nurturing the next generation of female tech leaders.”

The event showcased the potential within the ICT industry and laid the groundwork for nurturing a new generation of female tech leaders. By providing these young girls with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration they need, Vodafone Ghana has reinforced its dedication to closing the digital gender gap and igniting a passion for technology and innovation.

ATC Ghana

The Deputy Minister of MoCD, Ms Ama Pomaa Boateng joined the girls during their robotics and coding classes and had interactive sessions with them and encouraged them to keep up with their good work.

She said, “Keep a journal or a notebook and write any idea that comes to mind in order not to forget.”

She also acknowledged ATC Ghana and Ghana Code club for their support for giving the girls the opportunity to have a hands-on experience of the coding programming.

The CEO of ATC Ghana, Mr. Ashutosh Singh in his keynote address said, “This initiative also aligns with our Digital Community sustainability project where we have built 10 fully equipped ICT learning centres across the country to provide ICT education for school children and residents in underserved and unserved communities.”

MTN Ghana

Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Hon. Ama Pomaa Boateng expressed gratitude for MTN’s pioneering role in hosting

Ms Ama Pomaa Boateng encouraged the girls to embrace their potential, reminding them that passion and dedication would make their learning journey smoother.

The Deputy Minister extended her gratitude to sponsors like MTN Ghana and America Tower Corporation for their immersed support, adding, that the support was pivotal in creating an environment where dreams could flourish.

The girls were grouped into eleven sets, each comprising nine members. These smaller units paved the way for mentorship sessions, connecting the girls with experienced professionals who guided and inspired them on their future journeys in ICT.