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On Monday, July 17, 2023, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) started training 1000 girls in the Northern Region, focusing on fundamental Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills. The training program includes coding, cyber security, website development, and other relevant subjects.
Before this, 1000 girls had already received training in the Savannah region. The girls were selected from the sixteen Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), namely Mion, Karaga, Tolon, Kumbungu, Savelugu, Tamale, Nanton, Sagnarigu, Kpandai, Gushegu, Tatali, Nanumba South, Nanumba North, Yendi, Saboba, and Zabzugu.
This training initiative is part of the Girls-In-ICT program, which aims to bridge the gender gap in ICT in the country. The Ministry collaborates with its agencies to implement this program. Naa Korkoi Essah, the Head of Public Relations at MoCD, issued a statement showing that the training will occur at various regional centers.
The statement mentioned that 100 teachers from the respective districts had been selected and trained to conduct the training sessions. The five-day program will culminate with a mentorship session, where women in the ICT field share their personal and professional experiences with the Girls-in-ICT participants. The intention is to inspire and guide the girls in their future careers and endeavors.
The statement highlighted that an open-day experience is planned, wherein the top 100 girls from the region where the program has been implemented will be brought to Accra for a week. During this time, they will visit the offices of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), companies in the ICT industry, select MoCD agencies, and have the opportunity to interact with women professionals in the field.
The Girls-In-ICT program was introduced in 2012 by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to encourage and empower girls and young women to pursue studies and careers in the expanding field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
In 2017, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation adopted this initiative as a platform to equip girls aged between 9 and 15 years (Upper Primary to Junior High School) with basic ICT and coding knowledge and skills. The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) provides technical resources for the program, and the training is facilitated by the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence (KACE).
The program receives support from various entities such as MTN Ghana, National Communications Authority (NCA), American Towers Company (ATC), Ministry of Education, and GIZ.
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Source: Omanghana.com
