One hundred girls from the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions have benefitted from the Communication Ministry's 'Girls in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)' programme.

The event held in Accra on Tuesday, August 8, was hosted by American Tower Corporation (ATC) Ghana, a partner of the initiative.

The initiative is aimed at enhancing the digital skills of young women and girls in the career field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), particularly ICT.

It is also to whip girls and young women's interest to pursue STEM education and work in STEM careers which have so far been male-dominated.

As the leading telecommunications infrastructure provider in the country, ATC Ghana’s commitment is to drive the development of highly skilled professionals for the country’s telecommunications industry.

It is this vision that drives the company’s flagship projects, Digital Communities and Girls in ICT programmes which are geared towards piquing the interest of pupils in ICT-related programmes at an early age and directing them towards careers in the ICT field.

The girls were taken through motivation sessions by accomplished female engineers, a tour of the facility as well as robotics sessions.

The facilitators took them through the design, construction, operation, and use of robots in everyday work.

The girls worked in groups to tackle problem-solving and critical thinking on ICT-related issues.

Speaking at the event, the ATC Ghana CEO, Ashutosh Singh said preparing the next generation of professionals in the STEM space, especially girls, was very important to the company.

He explained that it was the reason ATC Ghana works closely with the Communications Ministry and has become a key sponsor and stakeholder of the initiative.

“This initiative also aligns with our Digital Communities sustainability project where we have built 10 fully equipped ICT learning centres across the country to provide ICT education for school children and residents in underserved and unserved communities. Plans are underway to build more Digital Communities this year.”

“In recent years, we have witnessed significant strides in bridging the gender gap in the tech sector, but we must acknowledge that there is still much work to be done.

"I believe that this disparity is not due to lack of talent or capability but rather, the lack of opportunity and encouragement.

"That is why programs like Girls in ICT are very crucial. We as a company, are here to provide you with the support, encouragement, and resources needed to pave your path to the industry,” he said.

He added, “The ICT industry is a vast and dynamic landscape, encompassing a wide range of fields such as software development, data science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and so much more.

"There is a place for each one of you in this ever-evolving digital realm, and your contributions will help shape the future of society.”

Ashutosh Singh urged the girls "that it is okay to dream big, to aim high for the stars, and to have ambitions beyond what others might expect of you."

He motivated the beneficiaries to embrace their passion and let it guide them on their journey.

"Pursue your interests fearlessly, and do not be discouraged by the challenges you may encounter along the way,” he stated.