2 years ago
In 7 areas, the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization plans to teach 10,000 females in ICT. As a part of the Girls-In-ICT (GIICT) initiative, it will take place in the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah, Northern, Western North, and North East areas between 2021 and 2022.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched the Girls-In-ICT project, which has been around for almost a decade, and thousands of girls have benefited from it throughout the years. According to the Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Ministry has been able to teach 5,000 females in fundamental computer literacy by the year 2021.
The Minister claims that by training 5,000 girls and 500 teachers from five regions in a year, as well as 3,000 girls and 300 teachers from 29 Districts in three regions—Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions—so far in the first quarter of 2022, the government has doubled the number of girls trained over the previous nine years.
"By the end of 2021, almost 5,000 girls would have received basic computer literacy training and exposure to cutting-edge digital technologies to spark their interest in ICT education. In order to help girls and young women choose studies and professions in the expanding field of ICTs and to benefit both girls and technology firms, the government continues to seek to close the gender digital divide.
"In 2021, 2000 girls from the Western North and North East Regions received training in HTML, Scratch, and Basic Computer Skills."
She said, "...we have ramped up the programme this year and intend to train 5,000 girls and 500 instructors from Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah, and the Northern Region in one year, doubling the number taught in the previous 9 years."
By the end of May 2022, 3,000 girls and 300 instructors from 29 Districts in the Bono and Ahafo Regions had received training in Scratch, HTML, and Cyber Security, all under the umbrella of the "Access and Safety" theme. According to her, this will help close the gender digital divide by inspiring and empowering girls and young women to think about pursuing degrees and careers in the rapidly expanding field of ICTs. Through the Girls -In-ICT (GIICT) programme, both girls and technology companies will benefit from increased female participation in the ICT sector.
She said that since 2017, top-performing schools have received 1,000 laptops and 51 cyber labs, and between 2021 and 2022, 100 ICT labs would be established for the same.
"Since 2017, 51 cyber laboratories have been set up for top-performing schools to guarantee the program's advantages are sustained. 100 ICT labs are being put up for the GIICT editions in 2021 and 2022. Furthermore, since 2017, instructors and girls have received a total of 1,000 computers. By the conclusion of this year, the Ministry intends to award 550 computers and protective bags to the top teachers and pupils, according to Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful
She also indicated that selected schools in the Eastern, Central, and Ashanti Regions have taught more than 15,000 girls in second cycle female schools on cybersecurity and cyber hygiene.
In the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Northern, and Savanna Regions, an equal number will receive training this August, she added.
The Minister has reassured the public that the Ministry has begun planning to train 200 teachers from the Savannah and Northern Regions and 2,000 girls from those regions in September and October, respectively.
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