The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation has kick-started the training of 1000 girls from various districts in the Bono East Region.
In all, 5000 girls from five regions, namely Bono, Ahafo, Savannah, and Northern regions, will be introduced to and trained in basic Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills and coding this year.
“I wish to provide all girls who desire digital skills anywhere in this country, the same opportunity that these girls have received. We have a very ambitious goal, and there is so much work to be done in giving our young people the right skills. For this reason, I am working closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure that we mainstream practical ICT education into the curriculum of all schools, “said the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
The training in coding will give the girls the opportunity to explore the world of technology, through the creation of websites, computer games, interactive arts, mobile apps, and animation stories, using various programming languages.
As part of strategies to both ensure that Ghana achieves the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, and Ghana’s ICT4AD Policy on bridging the gender digital divide, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, through its agencies – GIFEC, NCA and the Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence, has expanded the scope of the GIICT event.
After their training, which also introduces them to scratch and basic structures of programming, the girls participate in a competition.
The competition is expected to test the knowledge and ICT skills acquired during the training period, including website design, development of games, coding, and simple ICT applications.
Over 60 percent of the girls trained, have no prior knowledge or experience in the use of computers.
The Girls in ICT programme, was introduced in 2012 by the International Telecommunications Union to empower and encourage girls and young women to acquire digital skills and consider studies and careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies.
Ghana, has adopted this initiative and observed it on a regional basis. It has already been celebrated in Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern, Volta, Western, Western North, North East, Central and Otiregions.
Prizes such as laptops, modems are awarded to girls who excel in the competition and, ICT labs are alsoestablished in the schools of the girls who excelled.
The Ministry has also trained 200 teachers in Bono East and Bono, as part of these celebrations for the sustainability of this programme in their various schools. This year, 300 teachers will be trained in the Ahafo, Savannah, and Northern regions.