Tamale celebrates World Girls’ ICT Day

Over 100 girls from various primary and Junior High Schools across the Northern Region have participated in this year’s celebration of the International Information Communication (ICT) Day for Girls, to showcase their talents in the industry.

Many of the girls, who had already been introduced to basic ICT operations, displayed their knowledge in the field by taking turns to teach and cite some procedures to various software operations to the admiration of the audience and their colleagues.

Savana Signatures, an ICT focused non-governmental organization, organized the celebration on the theme: “Celebrating Successes, Inspiring Girls.”

Mr. Abdul-Rashid Imoro, Education Officer of Savana Signatures, advised the girls to inspire themselves to learn ICT and use the knowledge gained to improve their communities and their families, noting that, with ICT, everything was possible.

He explained that most of the girls participating in the celebration were selected from ICT clubs that the NGO had formed in various schools to educate them weekly on some topics in ICT to build their talents and confidence for the future.

Mr. Imoro said the celebration was an opportunity for the young girls to interact with various role models to serve as motivation for them to aspire for higher laurels.

He said through the Tech Girls’ Club that the NGO formed, many of the girls had been introduced to the use of digital tools for online media, developing and designing of websites and stressed that about five girls who were trained in web designing were currently developing various projects to improve development in their communities through ICT.

Madam Esther Buabeng, lecturer of the University for Development Studies’ (UDS) Faculty of Ecotourism and Environmental Management, indicated that ICT had become the face of the globe, stressing that nobody should be left out of the fast growing industry.

She indicated that even though the ICT industry was male-dominated, it was surmountable, and urged them to develop themselves adequately in the area to take up leading roles since no profession was a preserve for one sex.

Madam Buabeng urged the pupils to study hard to become professionals in diverse fields of their choice, and warned them to refrain from abusing the usage of the internet, especially for negative activities.

Madam Abiba Saaka, Savelugu/Nanton Municipal Girl Child Coordinator of the Ghana Education Service, noted that knowledge was power, and children should do continuous learning and avoid engaging in immoral activities, such as illicit sex and drug abuse, which would jeopardize their future.

She lamented about the poor performances of many of the pupils at the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) level and stressed the need for a strong stakeholder intervention.