Accra: Mr. Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, has declared the Girls in ICT initiative as a crucial national investment in Ghana's future, emphasizing its significance beyond being merely a training programme.
According to Ghana News Agency, during the inauguration of the 2026 National Girls in ICT Day in Accra, themed "AI for Development: Girls shaping the digital future," Mr. George highlighted the critical role of technology, innovation, and knowledge in shaping the country's future. However, he pointed out the persistent underrepresentation of women in the digital industry.
The event brings together 100 girls from the Volta and Upper West Regions who excelled in the Girls in ICT programme. This initiative, a flagship programme of the Ministry, aims to bridge the gender gap in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, AI cybersecurity, software engineering, and data science.
Mr. George stated, "Through this initiative, we seek to give young girls the confidence, knowledge, and the inspiration to become the next generation of innovators, engineers, developers, and digital leaders. When girls are empowered with digital skills, our communities get transformed, and nations become more competitive."
He commended the girls for their exceptional performance and encouraged them to seize every learning opportunity. He urged them to envision themselves as future leaders in technology, boosting Ghana's competitiveness.
Additionally, Mr. George mandated all staff of the sector Ministry and its agencies to complete a course on the One Million Coders Programme by the week's end.
Dr. Collins Afari Yeboah, the Director General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), emphasized the importance of inclusive digital transformation. He encouraged the girls to advocate for ethical AI use, considering privacy, cybersecurity, misinformation, fairness, and bias in their technological solutions.
Mr. Oluwaseun Layade, Head of Projects and Technology Services at CWG, Ghana, inspired the girls to believe in themselves and explore limitless opportunities in technology.
The five-day training includes interactions with leading ICT institutions and technology companies in Ghana. Activities encompass mentorship from accomplished female professionals, hands-on technology demonstrations, coding and AI workshops, leadership development, career guidance, and team-building exercises.