The Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has expressed satisfaction with the achievement government has chalked in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

Speaking at the launch of Girls-In-ICT, tertiary edition, the Minister noted that government has made a significant impact in the lives of Ghanaian girls by breaking the notion that ICT is preserved for only men.

She noted that there is an enormous gender gap in the ICT ecosystem and with the world transitioning from manual systems to digital systems government has made it a priority to close the gap.

“The digital systems being implemented by government requires digitally skilled manpower to operate and manage the systems for the benefit of the citizenry. This workshop is one of the modules we are introducing to the Girls in ICT Initiative and with the support of Huawei will become an annual programme,” she said.

The Communications Minister further urged the participants of the maiden edition to focus on the training which includes Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and Career Guidance.

She was optimistic that the beneficiaries will be enlightened enough to become ambassadors to preach the ICT gospel to the younger ones in the primary and SHS schools.

Mrs Owusu-Ekuful also commended the sponsors, Huawei Technologies (Ghana) S.A. Limited for their commitment to the initiative.

“I wish you a successful workshop and a healthy business competition. May the best group win,” she said.

The Director for Public and Government Affairs at Huawei Technologies, Jenny Zhou believed that technology innovation can be led by women, and technology in its end can empower women.

“Huawei's female employees have been playing a unique role and making important contributions to the company. Many of them have distinguished themselves and become outstanding leaders.

“In the digital era, the most important measure to bridge the digital gender gap is through education. Whether it is college education or social training, we need to give women more opportunities to participate in the digital profession. It is again this backdrop that the Huawei Women in Technology initiative was founded,” she explained.

Miss Zhou further encouraged participants to pay attention to what will be taught during sessions so that they can in the end contribute to realizing Ghana's digital agenda.