We’re eliminating ICT barriers for girls – Ursula

Minister of Communication, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has said that her ministry is determined to implement programmes that will ensure an end to the stereotyping that thwarts the efforts of young women pursuing science and technology courses in Ghana.

According to her, the number of young women in the ICT sector needs to be increased to produce women achievers.

Speaking at the launch of Ms Geek Ghana Competition in Accra on Wednesday, 9 October 2019, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful revealed that the young women in ICT agenda is in line with the government's determination to ensure that women are empowered to develop software and other technology-driven solutions aimed at resolving emerging problems.

She said: “The statistics aren’t very encouraging. So, for us at the Ministry of Communication, we are determined to put in place initiatives that will eliminate all forms of stereotyping for young women pursuing science, engineering, mathematics, etc”.

The Ms Geek Ghana Competition is geared toward empowering young women to enter Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Miss Geek Ghana is a research and entrepreneurship competition that seeks to promote and encourage young women between the ages of 13 and 25 years in ICT. The programme encourages young women to submit apps that solve social and economic issues in Ghana.

It is designed to make young women more innovative in using technological approaches to solving problems. The top three competitors receive cash prizes and business training, and the winner also receives financing to support project implementation and a start-up.