[ads2]
Management of telecommunication giant, MTN Ghana have visited the various boot camps in the Western North Region where the Girls In ICT programme is currently ongoing.
The Girls- in – ICT initiative is one of the flagship programmes of the Ministry of Communications and is in line with the International Girls-in-ICT Day, an initiative backed by all ITU Member States.
The initiative aims at encouraging and empowering girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICTs, enabling both girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female participation in the ICT sector.
And as part of activities to mark their 25th anniversary, MTN Ghana made a donation of Gh¢10m to the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation to help grow female participation in the ICT industry.
The Minister of Communication and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu Ekuful recounted her conviction to scale up the Girls in ICT initiative but for financing barriers, such remains a dream and however thanked MTN Ghana for favorably considering the ministry’s request and pledged to utilise the support for which it was given.[ads4]
The programme has started with the Oti Region having their fare share where about 570 girls from different basic school participated in the. That of Western North Region is currently underway with about 1,000 girls learning programming among other requisite education in the ICT field.
Despite supporting the programme with GH¢10m, the management of MTN Ghana in the Western Region North have visited the various boot camps in the region where the programme is taking place. The programme is currently underway at five districts in the region namely; Boadi, Suaman, Akontombra, Aowin and Prestea Huni-Valley.
Speaking at the visitation, the regional Corporate Service Adviser for MTN Ghana, Mr. Kennedy Ofosuhene noted that the initiative forms part of the international telecommunications Union’s (ITU) objective to encourage and empower girls an young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICTs, enabling both girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female production in the ICT sector.
He reiterated that in view of the importance of the initiative, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization instituted the annual ICT programme to girls across the country.
He said that, “since the inception of the programme, MTN has supported us with cash donations, mentorships and presentation of devices and as part of the 25th anniversary, the business decided to support the initiative with Gh¢10m donation taken from the $25m that has been committed for the anniversary.
“The amount will be spread over a three-year period with Gh¢3.33m to be paid annually. The donation which could be the biggest by any corporate entity will be given adequate comms to ensure maximum coverage and recall among the Ghanaians. Since the projects for three years the plan will replicated for the following years.”
Mr. Ofosuhene concluded by indicating that MTN as a company has targeted to be the leading digital solutions providers in 2025 for the progress of Africa as well as build the largest and most valuable platforms in the continent, drive the industry leading connective operations, create shared value and accelerate portfolio transmission among others.
Beneficiaries of the Girls In ICT initiative were grateful to the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization for the vision and expressed their gratitude to MTN Ghana for supporting the programme with such a heavy amount.
They stated that before the introduction of the programme, they were facing huge challenges when it comes to ICT as most of them had no access to computers at their various schools and homes. They believe the introduction of the programme has been of a great benefit with their knowledge in ICT has growing bigger.
[ads5]
