Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, has stated that the government must take intentional actions to change the status quo that causes women and girls to lag behind and be unable to engage in the digital arena; where there are huge inequities in labor and income.
According to her, women overwork while being underpaid, and many women do not have equal access to decision-making at all levels, particularly in the digital economy.
“Women’s contributions to Ghana’s development are important, and we will not be able to realize our aim of a “Ghana Beyond Aid” unless we effectively educate women and girls for the post-Covid-19 digital world of employment.”
Everything is now dependent on digital infrastructure and services, from education, health, trade, agriculture, to meetings and social interactions, sending and receiving money, and paying for products and services, among other things.”
“How can we engage in this world if we don’t know what we’re doing?” We can’t keep teaching our daughters that everything technical, digital, electronic, and so on is solely for males. They can learn, compete, and achieve in everything they put their minds to when they are taught.” Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful made the remarks at the conclusion of the Girls in ICT event in Gambaga, North East Region, where 1000 young girls were taught to fundamental ICT skills and coding.
East Mamprusi Municipal (Gambaga); West Mamprusi Municipal (Walewale); Bunkpurugu Nakpanduri (Bunkpurugu); Chereponi District (Chereponi); Yunyoo Nasuan District (Yunyoo); and Mamprugu Moagdiri District (Mamprugu Moagdiri) (Yagaba).
Chief Mba Taraana, the event’s chairwoman, urged the young ladies to use their newfound knowledge to better the society in which they live.
Yidana Zakaria, the North East Regional Minister, expressed hope that the training will assist to reduce rural-urban migration among young girls and encourage them to invest in their education.
Juliet Apetigah, a Walewale Girls Model Junior High School student with no prior expertise in ICT, thanked the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and its partners for the program.
She stated that the course has extended their ICT knowledge and abilities.
GIFEC presented laptops and certificates to the top 100 females, and the top 10 girls received modems with a one-year data subscription.
However, each of the top ten girls’ schools will be outfitted with an ICT laboratory.