Ho, Ghana – A media engagement initiative has commenced in the Volta Region to amplify the reach and impact of the Girls-In-ICT program. This effort, aimed at bridging the gender gap in technology and empowering young girls with digital skills, involves the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations’ Public Relations team, joined by GIFEC Regional Manager Kofi Gamor and an instructor from the Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence (KACE).
The team visited local radio stations, including GBC’s Volta Star Radio and WestFM 97.5, to educate the public, share insights, and garner support for the transformative program. Naa Korkoi Essah, Head of Public Relations at the Ministry, recounted the program’s journey and vision, explaining its genesis from a desire to provide girls with digital skills for endless possibilities. She noted that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) established “Girls in ICT Day” in April 2011 to encourage girls to pursue careers in Information and Communication Technology and STEM fields.
Ghana adopted the Girls-in-ICT Initiative in 2012 as a flagship program to achieve Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 5 (Gender Equality) of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. What began as an annual event has evolved into a result-based program, now organized three times a year, training 3,000 girls and 300 ICT/STEM teachers across three regions in areas such as Basic ICT, Web Development, Cybersecurity, Game and Animation Development, and Coding.
This year, the Ministry targets 3,000 girls and 300 teachers from the Volta, Upper East, and Upper West Regions, with 100 teachers in the Volta Region already trained in the first phase. The second phase, focusing on hands-on learning and mentorship for girls, is currently underway across all 18 districts of the Volta Region.
Kofi Gamor, Volta Regional Manager of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), emphasized the crucial role of technology access in the program’s success. He stated that GIFEC provides laptops and ICT tools through Community Information Centres (CICs) to ensure every girl benefits, regardless of location, extending their commitment to logistical support and outreach in underserved areas. Christopher Kegu from KACE elaborated on the carefully designed training modules aimed at equipping girls with practical ICT skills, noting that the program culminates in an event celebrating the achievements of outstanding girls and teachers.
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