As part of the National Girls-in-ICT project, the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations (MoCDTI) and the Volta Regional Coordinating Council have started a week-long Training of Trainers workshop.
In order to mentor 1,000 girls in 18 districts around the Volta Region, the training intends to provide 100 chosen teachers with the necessary Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capabilities.
The goal of the program is to increase the teachers’ proficiency in subjects such as general ICT literacy, coding, game and animation development, cybersecurity, and web development.
This program is a component of the ministry’s larger endeavor to empower girls with the knowledge and self-assurance they need to succeed in a digital environment, therefore reducing the gender digital divide.
Austin Hessin, the Director of Policy, Planning, Budget, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PPBME), spoke on behalf of Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, and emphasized the significance of the initiative in addressing gender disparities in digital access and education.
Mr. Hessin cited the 2023 Strategic Report of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which showed that over 250 million more men than women are online worldwide, with Ghanaian girls being disproportionately impacted when it comes to using digital tools and mobile internet.
“Despite improvements in access and affordability, a significant digital gender gap persists. This programme is more than a training exercise—it is a transformational agenda that shapes futures,” he said.
He emphasized that the ministry has trained 14,981 girls and 1,192 instructors nationally through the Girls-in-ICT initiative, which is led by the ministry in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (KACE), and other stakeholders.
Mr. Hessin went on to say that KACE professionals are leading the present program, which emphasizes both educational techniques and technological abilities to help the teachers become successful mentors in their communities.
He expressed gratitude to American Tower Corporation and MTN Ghana for their financial support, as well as to local government organizations for their logistical assistance.
He urged participants to take their positions as digital mentors with purpose and dedication, saying, “Our goal is to build a generation that leads in innovation—not one left behind by it.”
Mr. Augustus Awity, the Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, also spoke to the audience.
He emphasized that the 2025 National Budget has more than GH¢1.2 billion set up for teacher training, and he connected the Girls-in-ICT program to larger national education initiatives.
“This training marks the beginning of a transformative journey for thousands of girls. You are the vanguards of this educational revolution,” Mr. Awity remarked.
The Volta Regional Director of Education, Mr. Francis Yao Agbemadi, emphasized the value of creating encouraging learning settings that boost self-esteem and encourage girls to choose jobs in technology.
Source: newsthemegh.com