The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has urged young girls across Ghana to claim their place in the digital future and lead the country’s transformation into a globally competitive, inclusive, tech-driven society.

Addressing students at the Cedi Auditorium of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho during the National Girls in ICT Day 2025 – Climax Day Celebration, the Minister underscored the transformative power of digital technology in shaping modern economies, citing global examples such as South Korea, Singapore, Japan, and China.

“The world we know today is being shaped by social intelligence, machine learning, data science, and coding. These are not just tools – they are the engines that drive prosperity,” Hon. George stated.

He warned of the risk of Ghana falling behind if the majority of its youth, particularly girls, are excluded from digital advancement, stressing that connectivity alone does not guarantee transformation.

The Minister called on telecom leaders, stakeholders, and government agencies to continuously improve access, affordability, and the quality of digital infrastructure.

He announced progress under the $1 million Digital Pioneers Programme, launched in April, aimed at training one million young Ghanaians in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence over four years.

“So far, 859 young people have already completed training in languages as diverse as French, Romanian, Bulgarian, and Sinhalese. Our target is to train 100,000 by the end of this year alone,” he revealed, emphasising the goal of reaching underserved communities and addressing systemic gaps.

He also thanked global partners, including OpenAI and the DALL·E team, for their technical contributions to Ghana’s digital transformation, and praised private-sector collaborators like Teresa and Nisha Capital for investing in youth development.

Highlighting past and present efforts in digital education, Minister George referenced the GDELT programme, which began in 2012 and has since created over 3,000 jobs annually. He noted that Ghana now boasts 1,492 certified ICT and STEM teachers and 1,000 STEM scholars nationwide.

Girls from across Ghana have been given opportunities to study game development, animation, and advanced coding at institutions in Europe, including the University of Amsterdam. Many of these girls, he said, were seated in the auditorium as living proof of what inclusive investment in digital skills can achieve.

“Some of your mentors who spoke to you yesterday once sat right where you are. If they could do it, so can you,” he said, drawing loud applause from the audience, which included schoolgirls, educators, traditional leaders, government officials, and international partners.

The Minister issued a rallying call for collective responsibility, urging girls to join coalitions, participate in coding competitions, and boldly engage in digital leadership.

“Don’t be afraid. Don’t fear. Nobody is stronger than your will to learn,” he said. “Your journey has just begun – step into it boldly.”

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to comprehensive digital legislation that supports accessibility, inclusivity, and global competitiveness, and promised continued investment in skills development, infrastructure, and regulatory alignment with global standards.

The National Girls in ICT initiative, under the theme “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation,” seeks to bridge the gender digital divide, promote digital literacy, and spark interest in ICT careers among young girls, particularly in underserved regions like Volta.

As the event drew to a close, Minister George left the young girls with a powerful reminder:

“This is not just a celebration. It is a movement – a movement toward equity, innovation, and empowerment. Your story matters – and Ghana’s digital future depends on you.”