top of page
Writer's picture Think News Online

"Ministry to monitor and track progress of beneficiaries of Girls-in-ICT project" - Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has announced that her ministry will actively monitor and track the progress of beneficiaries of the Girls-in-ICT project.


Speaking at the climax of a two-day National Girls-in-ICT Day event held at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful emphasized the importance of sustained support and mentorship for the girls involved in the program.


"Today, we had an exciting mentorship session with around 80 mentors who shared their personal experiences and demonstrated the significant impact of IT on their lives"


"This interaction moves the program from theoretical instruction to practical examples of women successfully utilizing IT," Owusu-Ekuful said.


She highlighted the need for continuous engagement beyond the annual event, proposing a system where mentors can provide ongoing support and guidance to the girls throughout their educational and professional journeys.


To achieve this, the minister announced plans to establish a trust fund that will enable continuous monitoring and evaluation of the program's beneficiaries.


The trust will be managed independently from the ministry, with its own processes for budgeting, accountability, and progress tracking.


"We want to ensure that we can monitor each girl's progress long-term, providing the necessary support to help them succeed," she explained.


The trust will seek funding from various sources, including women’s agencies and individual companies, aiming for a sustainable stream of resources.


This approach will allow the expansion of the program to reach 9,000 to 10,000 girls annually and deliver training closer to their communities.


The ministry also plans to train more teachers to support this expanded initiative, ensuring that the digital skills imparted to the girls are effectively reinforced in their local schools.


The sector Minister revealed that to date, 13,981 girls and 1,300 teachers have benefited from the Girls-in-ICT program.


Despite this progress, Owusu-Ekuful acknowledged that the current reach is still limited compared to the potential demand.


"We need to find ways to provide full access to all interested girls, ensuring they receive the same opportunities and exposure to digital skills," she urged.


The minister stressed the importance of early exposure to ICT, targeting primary, upper primary, and junior high school students.


By the time they reach senior high school, these students should be more proficient and capable of pursuing advanced digital skills.


She also encouraged parents to support their children's interests in STEM fields, noting the vast opportunities available beyond traditional professions like medicine.


Background of the Girls-in-ICT Project

The Girls-in-ICT initiative, spearheaded by Ghana's Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, aims to address the gender gap in the technology sector by empowering young girls with essential digital skills.


Launched in 2010, the program has grown significantly, impacting thousands of girls across the nation.


It offers training in areas such as coding, robotics, and data analytics, preparing participants for future careers in the tech industry.


The initiative aligns with global efforts to promote gender equality in technology and foster sustainable economic development through education and skills enhancement.


With continued government and private sector support, the Girls-in-ICT project is set to play a crucial role in shaping Ghana's digital future.


Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

0 comments

Comments


bottom of page