Encouraging STEM aspirations for a hundred outstanding students in Ghana through the Girls in ICT program
Empowering Girls in STEM: The Girls in ICT Program
The Girls in ICT program, an initiative from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, is designed to encourage girls and young women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This program is an extension of the Ministry's broader initiative to empower girls and young women in STEM careers.
The program partners with ATC and is part of an initiative from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), with a shared goal of encouraging girls and young women to pursue careers in STEM. The Girls in ICT program offers a unique opportunity for 100 top-performing girls from the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, providing them with training in various digital skills such as coding, website design, social media, internet safety, game development, and animation development.
The program is structured to provide mentorship to its participants, helping them build technical skills and leadership capabilities relevant to technology sectors. It includes competitions and bootcamps that challenge girls to apply their skills and gain practical experience. Furthermore, the program collaborates with educational institutions and tech companies to provide industry-level exposure and real-world opportunities.
In line with its mission, the program is committed to promoting gender equality in technology by addressing stereotypes and barriers that girls face in entering and thriving in ICT fields. The ultimate goal is to close the gender gap in ICT/STEM by equipping girls with relevant digital skills and leadership capabilities.
By encouraging girls to pursue ICT education and careers, the program aims to address underrepresentation and gender disparities seen globally. As of 2025, only about 21% of ICT professionals are women, according to ITU concerns. The program also seeks to foster innovation, economic empowerment, and social impact through digital inclusion of young women.
Examples of similar initiatives include the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) in Rwanda and Huawei's ICT competition in Uganda. These programs have successfully trained hundreds of girls in coding and robotics, nurturing young local talent and providing them with practical experience in emerging technologies.
In conclusion, the Girls in ICT program leverages education, mentorship, competitions, and partnerships to create an enabling environment where girls can become confident, skilled leaders and innovators in STEM fields. By bridging the gender digital gap and encouraging girls to take on leadership roles within the tech industry, the program is poised to make a significant impact on the digital future of the country.
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