The Minister for Communications and Digitalization (MoCD), who doubles as a Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West Constituency, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful (MP) has paid a working visit to the Girls-In-ICT training centres in the Eastern region.
The program forms part of strategic measures to ensure Ghana achieves the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 and is supported by Ghana’s ICT4AD Policy on bridging the gender digital divide.
The Girls-In-ICT program which was introduced in 2012 by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) was aimed to create a global environment to empower and encourage girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
Speaking to the press, Hon. Ursula Owusu stated that the ministry for Communications and Digitalization is focused to break barriers in science technology and improve ICT knowledge among young ladies at the various schools in the country.
Hon. Ursula Owusu said that the Ministry has selected hundred (100) teachers with thousand (1,000) girls from across all the districts of the region for the Girls-In-ICT program,
“It will continue with a mentorship session whereby women currently working in the ICT Field share their personal and professional experiences with the Girls to encourage and guide them in their future careers and endeavors,’’ Hon. Ursula Owusu added.
She explained that the ministry will finally present awards for best-100 performing girls in the region, adding that theyu have been deliberate and focused to enhance the knowledge of young girls in ICT program.
“We have to demystify and introduce more girls to ICT and digital technology. We have to let women know that their jobs aren’t only in the Arts, but even with the Arts, they need some form of digital skills to be able to succeed,’’ said Hon. Ursula Owusu added.
“We seem to behave as if all things technical, mechanical, digital, engineering, science, mathematics, are a male thing so women cannot excel in it and such thoughts have contributed to the huge gap between men and women in ICT in Ghana,’’ she affirmed.
Hon. Ursula Owusu continued that due to technological advancement, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) decided to make a difference and expose more girls to the wonders of ICT.
‘‘Ghana has to demystify Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Digital Technology as well as allow women and girls know that their jobs are not only in the Arts,’’ she stated.
The Minister had an opportunity to interact with the girls and encourage them to build their abilities in digital skills, ICT Industry and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
Hon. Ursula Owusu revealed that measures are also being put in place to ensure that every JHS and SHS student has his or her own laptop loaded with text books at the various schools in the county.
She said that plans are underway to ensure that JHS and SHS students have ICT centers where the students can access and acquire knowledge.
The students also assured to make good use of the Girls-In-ICT initiative.
Girls-In-ICT initiative has enabled the students to develop games, animations, codes, scribes and others.
The Ministry of Communications and Digitalization, through Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence (KACE) and its agencies has brought the program to reality.
The Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful visited Aburi Girls Senior High School (SHS), Aburi Presbyterian Secondary Technical, Mampong Presbyterian Senior High School (SHS), Koforidua Regional Library, Koforidua Ghana Secondary, Koforidua SDA and Senior High School during the Eastern regional tour.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Solomon Nartey
