Volta region: Beneficiaries of the 2025 National Girls-in-ICT Programme in the Volta Region participated in a special Mentorship Day aimed at inspiring and guiding young girls to pursue careers in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, the session brought together 1,000 girls from all 18 Municipal and District Assemblies in the region who had undergone a week-long ICT training, and provided them with the opportunity to engage with experienced female professionals from various fields in tech and related disciplines.
Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, Registrar of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), who chaired the occasion, described the mentorship event as a transformational platform that was beyond certificates or one-time training. Addressing the young participants, she emphasized the importance of nurturing brilliance, celebrating curiosity, and cultivating confidence, underscoring the urgency of empowering more girls to enter and thrive in the tech space.
Mr. Austin Hesse-O, from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation (MoCDTI) and Coordinator of the Girls-in-ICT Programme, explained that the initiative was inspired by Resolution 70 of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which seeks to empower girls and women in the ICT sector. He highlighted the alarming gender gap in ICT-related careers globally and noted Ghana's efforts to transform the Girls-in-ICT programme into a national movement.
The event featured a lineup of female mentors from various sectors such as academia, telecoms, engineering, marketing, and tech entrepreneurship. These mentors shared personal stories, challenges, and triumphs, encouraging the girls to overcome fear and stereotypes, and emphasizing the importance of perseverance and mentorship.
Ms. Ama Bawa from the National Cybersecurity Centre delivered a session on Child Online Protection, offering guidance on safe internet practices and protection from cyber threats. The young participants expressed gratitude and excitement after the session, with many inspired to stay committed to their ICT dreams.
The Mentorship Day marked not just the end of the Girls-in-ICT training but the beginning of a new journey for these girls as future software engineers, cybersecurity experts, web developers, and tech innovators. Organisers encouraged the girls to stay connected with their mentors and build networks to support their professional growth.
