The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has called for a united national effort to empower girls through technology, describing digital transformation as “Ghana’s new frontier of equity and innovation.”

Delivering an address at the climax of the 2025 National Girls in ICT Celebration at the Cedi Auditorium of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho, the Minister positioned the occasion as a defining moment in Ghana’s journey towards gender-balanced digital transformation.

“The future is digital — and it must be inclusive,” he declared. “This initiative is not just a programme; it is a national investment in the intellectual capital of our young girls, who are more than capable of shaping Ghana’s digital economy.”

Held under the theme “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation,” the event brought together top policymakers, traditional leaders, educators, ICT professionals, parents, and over 1,000 students from across the region.

Distinguished guests included Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State; Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation and MP for Ningo-Prampram; and Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection and MP for Krowor.

The Regional Minister lauded the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation (MOCDTI) and its partners for selecting the Volta Region to host the 2025 edition, highlighting the region's strategic importance in Ghana’s digital development agenda.

With over 3,000 girls and 300 STEM teachers trained across three regions, the programme has equipped participants with practical skills in web development, game animation, cybersecurity, and coding — domains critical to Ghana’s digital economy. A documentary aired at the event, “The Journey So Far,” captured the transformational impact of the initiative.

“These are not just numbers — they are lives being changed, barriers being broken, and futures being built,” the Minister emphasised.

On her part, the Minister for Gender, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, shared her personal investment in the programme, noting that she kept abreast of its progress even while outside the country during the training of 100 ICT facilitators.

 “I remained actively engaged, receiving regular updates and ensuring everything stayed on course. This is a priority not only for me personally, but also for the Volta Regional Coordinating Council,” she said.

She also paid glowing tribute to corporate sponsors MTN Ghana, the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence (KACE), and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) for their unwavering commitment to digital equity and corporate social responsibility.

Aligning the initiative with national policy, the Minister referenced the 2025 National Budget, which earmarks substantial investment into a National Coders’ Programme and the creation of a Women’s Development Bank with seed capital exceeding GH¢51 million to advance financial and digital inclusion for women.

She also cited the 2024 NDC Manifesto, which outlines a robust Digital Jobs Initiative aimed at creating 300,000 tech-based jobs in partnership with local startups, while making internet access more affordable and stimulating homegrown digital content.

“These are not token gestures. They are part of a coordinated national roadmap to empower young people — especially girls — to become architects of Ghana’s digital future.”

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of brand-new laptops to 100 top-performing Girls in ICT trainees, a gesture the Minister described as “an investment tool, not a reward.”

“This laptop is your gateway to a global classroom, your laboratory for innovation, and your launchpad into the tech industry,” she told the visibly elated awardees.

She further commended the parents, teachers, and mentors whose support has been instrumental in nurturing the confidence and curiosity of the girls, urging them to continue championing their dreams.

In her closing remarks, the Minister issued a rallying call to stakeholders across government, traditional leadership, academia, and the private sector:

“Let us not only equip our girls with digital tools but also ensure they have the space, confidence, and support to lead. Together, we can build a Ghana where no girl is left behind in the digital revolution.”

The ceremony concluded with cultural performances, student showcases, and interactive exhibitions that reflected the depth of creativity and potential sparked through the initiative.

As the curtains fell on this year’s National Girls in ICT celebration, one message stood clear: Ghana’s digital future is female — and that future is already unfolding in classrooms, coding labs, and innovation hubs across the country.