Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a strong challenge to young women in Ghana to embrace the burgeoning technology sector, emphasizing the critical need to ensure their active participation, particularly in developing solutions and contributing to the country’s digital economy. George stated that Ghana’s current digital transformation, driven by technology’s influence across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and finance, is no longer an abstract policy discussion but a tangible reality shaping key industries.
He directly addressed the graduates, calling upon them to recognize that technology is not a male-dominated field and to actively pursue careers in areas such as software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence – areas where the minister believes their skills are crucial. The graduation ceremony, held at the first cohort of Plan International Ghana’s Digital Skills Project, saw 26 young people, comprised of 14 females and 12 males, complete an intensive training program lasting 12 weeks.
Speaking at the event, George highlighted the project’s funding from Nokia, a partnership with Next Gen Infraco, Intellas, the University for Development Studies, and Ho Technical University. The initiative aims to equip young people with practical digital skills to bolster their employability, entrepreneurial opportunities, and participation in the digital economy, with a specific focus on emerging technologies and solutions created by 5G infrastructure. The project delivered five capstone projects, each designed to address real challenges within local communities. For instance, AMBU, an emergency response application designed for medical emergencies, was developed by three women, reflecting a growing trend of young women entering the technology sector. Lawson Susan, a team member of the project, explained that the training broadened her knowledge of programming languages, systems, APIs, and databases, while also providing the opportunity to work on a solution with practical applications in the health sector.
The government’s One Million Coders program, which allocates 141,954 accounts to digital skills, is also a key component of this effort. George stressed that infrastructure alone is insufficient for a thriving digital economy; skilled individuals are vital for leveraging technology to solve problems and create opportunities. He underscored that the digital economy must be built on both technological capabilities and the application of human ingenuity.
Furthermore, he acknowledged the importance of the project’s success, noting that the graduates’ projects have the potential to significantly impact community well-being. He emphasized that the project was deliberately designed to allow participants to apply their knowledge beyond simply acquiring certificates, encouraging them to actively seek opportunities and contribute to the advancement of the digital landscape. George further stated that the graduates are urged to seize the opportunities presented to them and to, as they progress, ensure they do not close the door on others who may follow.
He concluded by urging the graduates to make the most of the opportunities they’ve been given and to continue to invest in their skills and contribute to the growth of the digital sector, emphasizing the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
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Source: Adom Online
