Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has hinted that plans are advanced for government to use ICT initiatives to transform the newly created regions to meet the development needs of the people.

She told the packed gathering at the Akyerensua Senior High School for the Climax of the Ahafo regional Girls in ICT initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry to ensure that the newly created regions become a priority.

According to her, this explains why this year’s Girls in ICT is being celebrated in five of the new regions created with the training of five thousand basic school girls.

“We are focusing on the new regions because we don’t want you to be left behind looking at the fact that you are a new region and most of the already existing regions have been benefiting from this programme since it was initiated in 2021. I can assure you that we shall follow up to make sure that the necessary skills acquired are put to good use” she said.

Under the theme; Access and Safety, this year’s girls in ICT is looking at access of internet for girls and the issues of safety associated with it.

This is due to the rising cybercrime cases in the country and the African continent.

All top one hundred girls were presented with laptops and certificates, top twenty girls will have fully furnished ICT laboratories established in their schools.

Addressing the concerns of access to internet connectivity which is part of the theme; for this year’s global Girls in ICT thus “Access and Safety” the Minister disclosed to the gathering that the ongoing work on the STEM education site at Akrodie, a suburb of Goaso will be used to advance the studies of Science, Engineering and ICT.

She also hinted that more computer laboratories and Rural Telephony Sites are being constructed to enhance the voice and data connectivity for the rural folks in the region.

She also used the occasion to warn that any SIM card that is not registered after July will be blocked.

“We are not going to extend the deadline for registration of the SIM cards again because the deadline has been extended already, make sure you register by the end of July because we want to use it to fight cybercrime in the country. I am appealing to all of you to get a Ghana Card and use it to register otherwise you’ll lose your card either for voice or data services” she warned.

Regional Minister for the Ahafo Region, George Yaw-Boakye in his welcome address expressed gratitude to the Ministry for considering such a young region as part of beneficiaries for the Girls in ICT initiative.

He singled out the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu Ekuful for her great work towards ensuring that ICT education is spread across the country and bridging the digital gender gap across the West African Sub region.

“I’m impressed by your level of commitment not only for the success of the GIICT but for the studies of Science and female empowerment in the country”