The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has officially opened the 2025 Girls-In-ICT Open Day, urging young girls to embrace technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to shape Ghana’s digital future.
The five-day programme brings together 100 outstanding beneficiaries of the 2025 Girls-In-ICT programme, with 50 girls each from the Volta and Upper West Regions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister described the Girls-In-ICT initiative as a national investment in Ghana’s future, aimed at equipping girls with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to become the next generation of technology leaders.
He noted that women remain underrepresented in fields such as AI, cybersecurity, software engineering, and data science, stressing that empowering girls with digital skills would help transform communities and strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
The Minister encouraged the girls to move beyond being users of technology to becoming creators, innovators, and problem-solvers, challenging them to develop digital solutions that address real-world challenges.
“Do not let anyone convince you that technology is reserved for other people,” he told the beneficiaries, urging them to see themselves as future software developers, AI researchers, technology entrepreneurs, and leaders.
The programme is being held under the theme “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation,” with a focus on preparing participants to contribute meaningfully to an increasingly AI-driven world.
Over the five days, the girls will engage with ICT institutions and technology companies and participate in mentorship sessions with female professionals, hands-on training in emerging technologies, coding, leadership and career development, entrepreneurship, and team-building activities.
The Minister also urged the participants to champion the ethical and responsible use of AI and digital technologies, particularly in areas of privacy, cybersecurity, misinformation, fairness, and bias.
He further encouraged the girls to become ambassadors for other young women by sharing their experiences and inspiring more girls to pursue careers in ICT, STEM, and AI.
The Minister urged the beneficiaries to “learn, innovate, lead and succeed” as they prepare to play an active role in Ghana’s digital transformation.
The Director-General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (KACE), in his remarks, urged the girls to see themselves not merely as consumers of technology but as creators capable of developing digital solutions that contribute to national development.
He said the growing influence of AI in education, business, and public services makes it important for young people to acquire the skills and confidence to shape the technology-driven future.
He also expressed appreciation to teachers, trainers, mentors, partners, and sponsors for their continued investment in the Girls-In-ICT programme.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana