AITI-KACE to build capacity of women in tertiary institutions in ICT

The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE), in fulfillment of its capacity-building mandate, is organising nationwide training workshops for young women in tertiary institutions.

These workshops are dedicated to introducing this group of women to ICT tools and technologies in Learning, Campaigning and Research.

There is a huge digital divide between Ghanaian men and women. These workshops are intended to demystify IT, raise awareness on the range of tools which are available today and thereby encourage women to become not only smart users but also to innovate with a purpose of tailoring IT solutions to the needs on the ground.

A statement issued in Accra, copied to the GNA, said, the first in the series would take place in Bolgatanga at the Upper East Jubilee ICT Centre this month for 80 women from the Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions.

A successful validation workshop involving over 50 women took place in Accra in January. The course participants involved student leaders from campuses of tertiary institutions all over Ghana. Areas covered included web presence, mobile communications, social media including learning tools such as 'Delicious'.

This workshop validated the usefulness of the training, and has already resulted in the launch of a few new businesses, and the adoption of these tools to support business.

The overwhelming response from the young women and their request for others to benefit from the programme has resulted in the organisation of a series of nationwide training workshops titled 'Women's E-campaign'.

In addition to the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, the workshop is sponsored by the Regional Coordinating Councils, Municipal Assembly, National Communication Authority, ActionAid Ghana and NUGS (National Union of Ghana Students).

It will be followed by training events in Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti, Central and Western (one event); and Greater Accra and Eastern (also a single event).

Close to 1,000 women are expected to be trained under this initiative, with the course participants expected to return to their campuses and continue reinforcing and sharing the knowledge they gain.

The statement said, NUGS Women's Commissioner, Ernestina Ofoe has said - “The Women's Commission is committed to having more female students becoming IT-inclined in order for them to contribute their quota to national development, and also become ambitious and to fulfill their potentials anywhere they find themselves; and possibly have them take up leadership positions to increase the rate of women in governance in Ghana".

Adwoa Kwateng-Kluvitse, Country Director ActionAid, notes that "This initiative is in line with ActionAid Ghana's focus areas of women in decision making and young women's empowerment. Building the capacities of especially young women in using ICT effectively is a fantastic way to ensure that, they are ICT competent in the 21st century and able to use these tools to achieve the leadership positions they aspire to".

Dorothy K. Gordon, Director-General, Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, said she was pleased with the turnout and the avid interest of the women participating in the programme.

The overwhelming support received from the NCA, RCC, Municipal Assembly and ActionAid-Ghana has contributed greatly to its success.

She encouraged more women to become IT literate and to explore the tools that exist today on the internet and on the mobile phone, that can drive not only productivity in business but also mobilization and education around key national development issues.

"AITI-KACE is committed to help build the nation's intellectual capacity and to put measures in place to create the right environment for women to succeed in this globalized economy."**