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Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister for Communication and Digitisation, has emphasized the urgency to close the gender digital gap in the country. This is the driving force behind the government’s implementation of the “Girls-in-ICT” project through the Ministry of Communication. As the country transitions from a manual to a digital era, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful stresses encouraging more girls to take part in the digital space. Her remarks were made during the National ‘Girls-In-ICT’ training program organized by GIFEC, which involved one thousand primary school girls and one hundred teachers from various regional districts.
The Minister highlighted the crucial role of parents, chiefs, and opinion leaders in supporting the Ministry’s efforts to promote ICT among girls for personal and career development. She emphasized Ghana is building a digital future and must demystify ICT for all, explicitly encouraging girls to take an interest in the field. By doing so, the country can fully benefit from the digital transformation agenda and bridge the gender digital divide.
Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekudul called on the Ghana Education Service and other relevant organizations to establish systems that enhance girls’ ICT skills. In addition, Gifty Twum Ampofo, the Deputy Minister for Education, appealed to parents and families to create opportunities at home that enable children to access mobile phones for online learning easily. She recognized some children could not afford these devices, making it the responsibility of parents to provide them. However, she cautioned the girls against misusing the privilege when given mobile phones.
After the training program, an 11-year-old primary six pupil named Mohammed Rahimmah from T.I Ahmadiya Islamic School in Kpalbusi, North-East Gonja District, emerged as the overall winner in the Girls-In-ICT project competition in the region, surpassing 99 other girls. She received a cash prize of GH₵3,000, along with a plaque, certificate, and laptop. An ICT laboratory will be established in her district.
In the awards, Alfreda Frimpong and Salu Saratu Alele were announced as the second and third-place winners, respectively. Both recipients were rewarded with GH₵2,500, laptops, plaques, and certificates of participation. ICT Labs will be established in their respective districts. The remaining award recipients comprised 97 girls, each receiving a laptop, certificate, and plaque.
Simultaneously, in Damongo, 40 of the 100 primary school teachers who underwent similar ICT training were recognized as the top ICT teachers in the region and received awards for their outstanding performance.
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Source: Omanghana.com
