The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation on Tuesday commemorated the National Girls-In-ICT Day at Damongo in the Savannah Region.

The Girls-In-ICT programme under the theme: “Digital Skills for Life” is aimed at inspiring and encouraging girls to pursue a future in ICT and to empower them by ensuring they have the necessary skills, confidence and support to achieve their goals.

The 1,000 participating girls each received a certificate and a bundle of menstrual hygiene products.

Along with receiving cash prizes, laptops, and the creation of ICT labs in their schools, the top three exceptional girls from the training program also received honors.

Additionally, some teachers received computers for their exceptional work.

The Sector Minister, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP) noted that  “as Ghana is building a digital Ghana and gradually moving away from manual to digital space, we need to demystify ICT for all and encourage girls to take interest in that field in order for the country to benefit fully from the digital transformation agenda and bridge the gender digital divide”. She urged the girls to keep honing the abilities they had been taught.

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful however made an appeal to the Savannah Regional Minister, the Director of Education, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), the Chiefs, and leaders to institutionalize ICT and digital skills in schools.

In his opening remarks, Savannah Regional Minister Hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibril thanked the Ministry and the government for bringing the initiative to the area and recognizing the importance of ICT for development.

He advised the female students to pursue employment in ICT industries, further their STEM education, and compete with their male peers.

Earlier, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, toured some selected schools under the Girls-In-ICT Centre Training programme in the Savannah Region to acquaint herself with progress.

The minister toured the Cathedral Junior High School, St. Ann’s Junior High School, Jakpa Junior High School, Busunu Centre among others.

The minister after the tour, said the Girls-In-ICT programme has trained about 100 teachers as trainers to enable them also train the girls.

The minister disclosed that the 20 top schools will be provided with ICT laboratories to enable the children continue building the skills they have been impacted with, and utilise the skills in their studies.

Madam Owusu-Ekuful however noted that the gap between boys and girls in ICT is huge, and for that matter the Girls-In-ICT programme will narrow the gap and encourage the girls.

By: Isaac Clottey