Ursula Empowers 1,000 Girls In ICT In Each Region

The Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation is expanding its Girls in ICT initiative to reach more young females across the country.

The Ministry is seeking to empower 1,000 young girls in each of the 16 regions in digital literacy skills for an economic boost.

The initiative is to build a pool of female human resources that would revolutionize the country’s economy through digitalisation.

The Minister for Communication and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, visited five Senior High Schools in the Ashanti region to inspire and engage young girls to venture into the ICT field.

Her mission is to challenge the status quo of projecting ICT as a domain reserved for boys as she sets out to equip young girls with the requisite skills to thrive in a rapidly digitalizing world.

“We want to demystify ICT education for girls. The whole world is going digital, and for our young girls to be able to compete on the national and global stage, they have to be given the right skills,” she said.

The Girls in ICT initiative evolved from a one-day event into a comprehensive two-week program, ensuring a more profound impact which provides participants with hands-on training, mentorship, and exposure to opportunities in the tech space.

The sector minister hinted at plans to train 100 teachers per region and empower them to teach ICT effectively in various schools under the program.

The ministry is also upscaling its initiative to empower 16,000 girls in ICT across the country while ensuring inclusivity.

One hundred girls who portray exceptional dedication to the program are expected to be awarded laptops to support their continued learning at the end of the training.

Meanwhile, the top 10 performers will be further motivated with fully-equipped computer laboratories for their schools that would benefit the entire community.

During her interactions, the minister emphasized the boundless opportunities that ICT offers and encouraged the girls to envision themselves as leaders in technology and innovation.

Acknowledging the scale of the initiative, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful called on organizations like GIFFEK – Girls in Front for Future and Emerging Knowledge – and other NGOs to join the effort.

“By pooling resources and expertise, these partnerships can amplify the impact of the Girls in ICT program, ensuring that no girl is left behind in the digital revolution,” she said.

Facilitator for the GIRLS IN ICT program at the Bantama-South Metro, Reverend Bernard Gyimah Antwi, emphasized the importance of equipping participants with the necessary tools to practice and reinforce their skills.

“The only request I would make is for these girls to be equipped, as some of them lack access to digital devices at home. While they may learn today, everything we teach them could be forgotten within the next five days. By providing them with the necessary tools, will not only empower them but also contribute to the betterment of the nation as a whole,” he noted.

He noted that while such initiatives are beneficial, ensuring that the girls have access to devices and resources to continually apply what they have learnt is crucial for sustaining their knowledge and growth in ICT.

10-Year-Old Wins

Success Joycelyn Dadzie, a 10-year-old Basic 6 pupil of Hwidiem Municipal Assembly (MA) Basic School in the Asante Akyem North District, has emerged winner of the 2024 Girls-In-ICT programme for the Ashanti Region.

Success achieved a perfect score of 100, showcasing exceptional mastery of ICT concepts, including basic computer skills in Scratch, cybersecurity, game development, animation and coding.

For her remarkable performance, she received a cash prize of GHC 3,000, a plaque, a certificate, a laptop, and an ICT lab for her school.

The second position went to Amponsah Yaa Darkoaa, a 13-year-old JHS 2 pupil from Ejisu Municipal, who also earned a plaque, certificate, laptop, ICT lab for her school, and a cash prize of GHC2,500.

Michelle Boakyewaa Boakye, a 12-year-old JHS 2 pupil from Atwima Kwanwoma, placed third and was awarded GHC2,000 in cash alongside the same package of prizes.