The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) has commenced a training program aimed at equipping 1,000 girls in the Northern Region of Ghana with basic Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills. The training, which began on Monday, July 17, will cover coding, cyber security, website development, and other essential ICT competencies.
Previously, the ministry successfully trained 1,000 girls in the Savannah region, and this new initiative seeks to extend the benefits to girls in the Northern Region. The girls were carefully selected from the sixteen Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) within the region. These MMDAs include Mion, Karaga, Tolon, Kumbungu, Savelugu, Tamale, Nanton, Sagnarigu, Kpandai, Gushegu, Tatali, Nanumba South, Nanumba North, Yendi, Saboba, and Zabzugu.
The training program is part of the Girls-In-ICT initiative, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and its agencies, aimed at reducing the gender gap in the ICT field in Ghana. In a statement issued by the Head of Public Relations at the MoCD, Naa Korkoi Essah, it was revealed that the training sessions would be conducted at various centers across the region.
To ensure effective delivery of the training, 100 teachers from the various districts underwent specialized training. They will play a crucial role in facilitating the learning process for the girls. The training program will span five days and will conclude with a mentorship session. During this session, women currently working in the ICT field will share their personal and professional experiences, providing guidance and encouragement to the Girls-in-ICT participants in their future careers.
Furthermore, an open day experience is planned, where the top 100 girls from the selected region will be invited to Accra for a week. During this visit, they will have the opportunity to tour the offices of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), ICT companies, select MoCD agencies, and engage with women already established in the industry. This interactive session aims to inspire and motivate the girls further.
The Girls-In-ICT program was initially introduced in 2012 by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a global initiative to empower and encourage girls and young women to pursue studies and careers in the ICT field. In 2017, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation adopted the program as a platform to equip girls aged 9 to 15 years (from upper primary to junior high school) with fundamental ICT and coding skills.
The program is implemented with support from the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) as the technical resource provider, and the training is conducted by the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence (KACE). Additionally, the initiative receives support from various organizations including MTN Ghana, the National Communications Authority (NCA), American Towers Company (ATC), the Ministry of Education, GIZ, and others.
The Girls-In-ICT program in the Northern Region is a significant step towards empowering young girls and bridging the gender gap in the ICT sector. By equipping them with essential skills and providing mentorship opportunities, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation is paving the way for more girls to pursue successful careers in the dynamic and rapidly evolving field of information and communication technologies.
