Girls-In-ICT: 100 girls from Volta and Upper West begin 5-day training

One hundred young girls from the Volta and Upper West Regions have begun a five-day training programme under the 2025 Girls-In-ICT initiative, aimed at equipping them with digital skills and preparing them to take advantage of opportunities in Ghana’s rapidly growing technology sector.

The beneficiaries, comprising 50 girls from each of the two regions, are participating in the 2025 Girls-In-ICT Open Day and related activities designed to expose them to information and communication technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI), coding, entrepreneurship and leadership.

The programme is being held under the theme, “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation,” with a focus on empowering young girls to become active participants in Ghana’s digital economy.

Speaking at the opening of the programme, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, said the initiative represents an important investment in Ghana’s future and would help provide young girls with the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to become future technology leaders.

He noted that women remain underrepresented in several critical areas of technology, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering and data science.

According to him, equipping girls with digital skills would help bridge the gender gap in the technology sector while strengthening Ghana’s ability to compete in the global digital economy.

The Minister challenged the beneficiaries to move beyond being consumers of technology and become creators, innovators and problem-solvers who can develop digital solutions to address challenges in their communities.

He urged the girls not to allow stereotypes about technology to limit their ambitions, encouraging them to see themselves as future software developers, AI researchers, technology entrepreneurs and leaders.

As part of the five-day programme, the participants will engage with ICT institutions and technology companies and interact with female professionals through mentorship sessions.

They will also receive hands-on training in coding and emerging technologies, as well as leadership, career development, entrepreneurship and team-building.

The Minister further encouraged the girls to embrace the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies.

He highlighted the importance of understanding issues relating to privacy, cybersecurity, misinformation, fairness and bias as the use of AI continues to expand across different sectors of society.

He also urged the beneficiaries to serve as ambassadors for other young girls by sharing their experiences and encouraging more young women to consider careers in ICT, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and artificial intelligence.

He charged them to “learn, innovate, lead and succeed” as they prepare to contribute to Ghana’s digital transformation.

The Director-General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (KACE), in his remarks, similarly urged the beneficiaries to view themselves as creators of technology rather than merely consumers.

He said the growing influence of AI in education, business and public services makes it necessary for young people to acquire the skills and confidence required to participate meaningfully in the technology-driven future.

He encouraged the girls to use the knowledge and experience gained from the programme to develop solutions that could contribute to national development.

The Director-General also expressed appreciation to teachers, trainers, mentors, partners and sponsors for their continued support and investment in the Girls-In-ICT programme.

The five-day initiative is expected to provide the 100 beneficiaries with practical knowledge, mentorship and exposure that can inspire them to pursue further studies and careers in ICT and other technology-related fields.

The programme also forms part of broader efforts to promote inclusive digital transformation and encourage greater participation of girls and women in Ghana’s technology ecosystem.