The Ministry of Communications in partnership with its agencies has trained about 570 schoolgirls in the Oti Region in Information Communication Technology (ICT) to develop their interest in ICT and encourage them to build careers in that regard.
The training was under one of the ministry’s flagship programmes; the Girls-in-ICT initiative, which is in line with the International Girls in ICT Day.
The day is aimed at encouraging and empowering girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICT.
As part of the training, a brief tour and inspection of the training centres were held by the Ministry and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC).
Importance of ICT
Addressing the trainees at a ceremony, the Administrator of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Mr. Abraham Kofi Asante, who spoke on behalf of the sector Minister, Ms. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said, said Girls in ICT was a program organised to train girls in ICT, especially in coding.
He said the trainees were selected from schools in the Jasikan District, Kadjebi District, Biakoye District, Nkwanta North & South Districts, Krachi Districts and the SALL communities.
Mr. Asante noted that the best performing students in the training would be selected and given certificates.
They will also receive an award for the establishment of an ultramodern ICT laboratory to provide more rooms for such school to advance their skills in ICT.
He said the Ministry of Communications would be establishing ICT centers in the Oti regional capital to serve as a resource center to build ICT capacities.
He also encouraged the students to put in more effort and become conduct researchers and plan designers in the future.
The team, also visited the Kyabobo girls Junior High School laboratory in the Nkwanta South Municipal, Nkwanta South Municipal ICT laboratory, Nkwanta South SHS Technical laboratory and Oti SHS Technical laboratory in the Krachi East Municipal.
Personalities who were present for the tour included the Director, Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms. Veronica Sackey, and the Director, Human Resources of the Ministry of Communications, Ms. Dora Darkwa- Mensah.
They both encouraged the students to focus on the training to gain maximum knowledge from the training to guarantee them careers in ICT.
Appreciation
The student trainees expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Communications and GIFEC for supporting them to become ICT experts in the future.
Girls in ICT day
The Girls in ICT day has been celebrated annually since April/May since 2012 and is climaxed with a mentorship and awards ceremony.
It is an initiative backed by all International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Member States.
Last year, a bi-annual celebration was introduced, with sessions held in the Central and Western Regions in an attempt to increase the number of girls that participate in the programme.
This year, however, the programme has delayed, due to the COVID 19 pandemic, and a virtual climax and mentorship event will be held to cap the celebrations.
Source: graphic.com.gh
