Technology giant Huawei Ghana has chalked another success with its ‘Seeds for the Future’ program, which climaxed with industry players calling on students to take ICT-related courses.

Forty out of the 70 shortlisted female tertiary students for the 2023 edition were beside themselves with joy when they graduated after a short ceremony at the Accra City Hotel.

The students were taken through various ICT training courses, career development courses and mentoring sessions.

Participants took courses like 5G, AI, Digital Power and Cloud Computing while helping to build their leadership capabilities.

The students were also taken through mentorship and career guidance sessions that will provide them with insight from experienced industry professionals.

The best students from this year’s graduates were awarded cash, prizes and ICT equipment from Huawei Ghana. 

Deputy Communications Minister Ama Pomaa Boateng, the guest speaker who spoke on behalf of sector Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, said ICT has become critical for solving problems and addressing the skills gap, especially among the youth. 

She stated that the study and implementation of ICT-based programs and skills will ensure that Ghana can play a critical role in key sectors of the domestic and global economy. 

“For instance, telemedicine is a critical sector to look at to develop solutions that can serve communities, particularly in rural areas. We must also equally pay attention to the agriculture and health sectors,” the deputy minister said. 

She called for increased investment from the private sector to push ICT growth and development.

Ama Boateng urged the Education Ministry to prioritise ICT programs in schools so the country can unearth more local talents in the sector.

The Deputy Minister charged the graduands not to only theorise what they were taken through over the period but to practicalise it to help humanity.

On her part, Deputy Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar assured the Akufo-Addo is keen on making the needed investments to improve the ICT learning space.”

“The importance of studying ICT cannot be overemphasised as we have seen how critical it can be deployed to resolve real-time problems in education, healthcare, and communications among others," she added.

Deputy Managing Director of Huawei Ghana Kweku Essuman Quansah said the 'Seeds for the Future' program has over the past few years prioritised the training of ICT talents across the globe.

He explained that the aim is to address the widening industry skills gaps in the ICT industry.

“In the space of two years, we have trained 80,000 girls in relevant ICT courses...we are here once again to witness the closing ceremony of an initiative that underscores our commitment to fostering innovation, diversity and collaboration,” he said.