Sixty girls from selected basic schools in the Western Region are in Accra to participate in the Girls-in-Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiative mentorship week.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging them to opt for careers in the ICT sector.

The girls were adjudged the best out of 548 others were involved in an ICT training and education in the region.

Organised by the Communications Ministry in partnership with its agencies, the seven-day mentorship programme seeks to sustain the enthusiasm of the 60 girls and build their interest in ICT.

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), Effia-Kwesimintsim Metropolitan Assembly (EKMA), Daboase, Shama, Ellembelle, Nzema East, Mpohor, Ahanta West and Amenfi West Districts, all in the Western Region, have representatives in the final 60.

Opening the event, sector Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, stated that Ghana joined the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Girls-in-ICT initiative to implement activities to bridge the digital gender divide.

It is also to encourage the training and education of girls to expand the opportunities available to girl-child and women in the sector.

Cumulatively, she said more than 4,000 girls from selected basic schools have participated in the initiative across the country.

Reiterating the importance of the programme, the minister stated, “the country cannot achieve Sustainable Development Goals (1,5 and 10) aimed at reducing poverty, achieving gender equality and reducing inequalities if there was no conscious and deliberate approach to encourage more girls and women to take up leadership roles in the ICT industry”.

The mentorship programme, Madam Ekuful Owusu said, was an opportunity for the girls to learn from female professionals within the ICT sector, and interact with them on building a career in ICT.

Magdalene Apenteng, Chief Director at the Ministry stated that the concept was a follow up to provide hands-on experience and expose the girls to practical training.

“This opportunity is to help you experience what happens at an ICT working environment, as well as interact with females who have excelled in the industry”, she added.