Girls in ICT: Ursula Owusu-Ekuful emphasises the importance of digital inclusion for women

Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communication and Digitization and MP for Ablekuma West has stressed the critical need for women to be included in all aspects of society, including the digital space.

During a tour of the Ashanti Region to promote the Girls-in-ICT program, the honourable minister visited the various training centers in the Ashanti region, where she interacted with a large number of these student training, specifically those at the basic level.

She emphasized that women form 50 percent of the population and should not be shut out of any aspect of our lives.

"By equipping women with digital skills, they can continue to engage and contribute to the development of our nation," Owusu-Ekuful said. "This program has ignited a small fire of interest in them, and we will encourage them to explore the possibilities in the digital field."

She noted that the program has introduced participants to various career paths in the digital sector, such as database analysis, robotics engineering, network engineering, and programming.

"We have planted a small seed which will grow for the entire nation to benefit from," the honourable minister said. "The face of the digital infrastructure and its managers will reflect the diversity of our society, with both men and women working side by side for the general well-being of our country," she stressed.

Meaning, some of these digital training centers for the Girls- In- ICT program she visited in the Ashanti region included; Kumasi Senior Technical School, Pentecost SHS, Adventist Senior High School, Serwaa Nyarko SHS and Kumasi Anglican SHS.

Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the Girls-in-ICT program expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn and develop digital skills.

Interacting with the minister and sharing their first-hand experiences, one of the students identified as Ama Serwaa, said, "I never thought I could build a website or create a game," said Ama Serwaa, a student from a basic school in the region. "But now, I feel confident in my abilities and I know that I can pursue a career in ICT."

Another student, Afia Pokuaa, shared how the program has boosted her problem-solving skills. "I used to struggle with Maths, but now I understand it better because of the coding exercises we do," she said. "I want to become a software engineer when I grow up."

The Girls-in-ICT program aims to bridge the gender gap in ICT and empower young girls with the skills they need to succeed in the digital age. The program provides training in various areas, including website development, game design, coding, robotics, and cybersecurity.

"This program has changed my life," said Esi Osei, a student who wants to be a database administrator. "I've learned so much in such a short time, and I'm so grateful for this opportunity."

The students thanked the minister and the government for their commitment to empowering girls through ICT. They pledged to use their newfound skills to make a positive impact on their communities and the nation as a whole.