Ghana's ICT Program for Girls Ignites STEM Aspirations in Top 100 High School Pupils
In a commendable stride towards gender equality in the tech industry, the Girls in ICT program, a global initiative under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has been gaining significant traction in Ghana. This program aims to encourage and empower girls and young women to pursue careers in information and communication technology (ICT).
The objectives of the program are threefold: to increase awareness of career opportunities in ICT for girls, promote equal gender representation in tech, and build skills and confidence to join the digital economy.
One of the key supporters of this movement in Ghana is MTN Ghana, a prominent organization that has been actively investing in Girls in ICT initiatives. For several years, MTN has been promoting Girls in ICT across basic, senior high, and tertiary institutions, providing mentorship and digital training to girls.
Recently, MTN mentored over 100 girls and invested GHS 17.6 million to empower girls in ICT through various programs. In addition, initiatives like GI-KACE in the Volta Region have equipped thousands of young women with practical tech skills and confidence to enter the technology ecosystem.
This expansion of the Girls in ICT program aligns with the global intent to close the gender gap in technology fields. By equipping girls with the necessary skills, mentorship, and exposure to ICT careers, the program fosters leadership and innovation in Ghana’s ICT sector.
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, recognising the importance of this initiative, has partnered with ATC for the Girls in ICT program. The program offers training in various digital skills such as basic ICT, coding, website design, social media and internet safety, game development, and animation development.
The aim of the Girls in ICT program is to bridge the gender digital gap and encourage girls to take on leadership roles within the tech industry. By doing so, it seeks to empower girls and young women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), thereby fostering a more diverse and inclusive tech sector in Ghana.
The Girls in ICT program, a global investigation under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is not only focusing on encouraging girls in Ghana to consider careers in technology but also enhancing their education-and-self-development in STEM fields. This initiative, with the support of key supporters like MTN Ghana, aims to build a diverse and inclusive tech sector through stem-education, providing learning opportunities for thousands of young women across various institutions.
