Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, embarked on a nationwide working tour to assess the progress of the Girls-in-ICT training programme, a flagship government initiative aimed at equipping young girls with critical digital skills. His recent visit to the Volta Region is the fourth region he has visited as part of his working tour.
The Girls-in-ICT training programme, which aligns with global efforts to bridge the gender gap in technology, seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of female tech leaders in Ghana. The Ministry in collaboration with partners such as the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (KACE), has so far trained 14,981 girls and 1,192 teachers across the country.
The Genesis of the Girls-in-ICT Initiative
The Girls-in-ICT programme was launched as part of Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda, recognizing the underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Globally, only 29.2% of STEM workers are women, despite women making up nearly half of the workforce . In Ghana, the initiative was designed to:
- Provide hands-on training in coding, robotics, and digital literacy.
- Encourage girls to pursue ICT careers through mentorship and role models.
- Reduce the digital gender divide by targeting underserved communities.
The programme is inspired by the International Girls in ICT Day, an annual event led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to promote gender inclusivity in tech. This year’s theme, “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation,” underscores the need for equitable access to digital opportunities .
Minister’s Working Tour: Key Visits and Feedback
Minister Samuel Nartey George’s tour, which began in late April 2025, has taken him to several training centers across the country to evaluate the programme’s impact and engage with participants. Below are highlights from his visits:
1. Accra – April 28, 2025
The Minister’s first stop was in Accra, where he visited a training hub at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT. He interacted with over 200 girls undergoing training in Python programming and web development with many of the girls expressing enthusiasm about applying their skills to solve local problems, such as developing apps for agricultural market pricing.
2. Kumasi – May 5, 2025
In Kumasi, the Minister toured the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) ICT Lab, where 300 girls were learning AI and data science. Trainers reported a 40% increase in girls’ interest in STEM subjects since the programme began. This prompted the government to expand partnerships with tech firms to provide internships for top performers.
3. Tamale – May 12, 2025
The Northern Region visit focused on bridging the urban-rural digital divide. At the Tamale Technical University, girls demonstrated projects in IoT for agriculture, such as smart irrigation systems. During the ministers visit, participants highlighted challenges, including limited internet access in rural areas. Hon. Samuel Nartey George in response stated plans to deploy mobile ICT vans to remote communities were announced to ensure no girl is left behind.
4. Ho – May 19, 2025
In the Volta Region, the Minister visited the Ho Technical University, where girls showcased cybersecurity projects. Mr. Francis Yao Agbemadi, Volta Regional Director of Education, stated during the Ministers visit, the importance of cultivating inclusive learning spaces that boost girls’ confidence and encourage them to explore careers in technology.
The Girls-in-ICT programme has already trained over 5,000 girls in 2025, with a target of 10,000 by year-end. Key outcomes include:
- Increased enrollment of girls in STEM courses.
- Enhanced digital literacy in rural areas.
- Partnerships with global tech giants like Cisco, which offers free AI and cybersecurity courses for participants .
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation emphasized that the initiative aligns with Ghana’s Digital Economy Policy, which prioritizes youth empowerment and gender inclusivity. He also referenced the $1 billion Innovation Hub deal with the UAE, which will create more opportunities for Ghanaian tech talent .
The next phase of the programme will:
- Expand to all 16 regions of Ghana.
- Introduce advanced modules in blockchain and cloud computing.
- Establish girls’ ICT clubs in schools to sustain interest.