The Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation (MCDTI) has held a mentorship session for about a thousand girls undergoing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training in the Upper West Region to mark the 2025 National Girls-in-ICT Day.

The session, organised in partnership with stakeholders, including the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and MTN Ghana under the Girls-In-ICT (GIICT) programme, was aimed at inspiring interest and confidence in girls to pursue careers in the ICT field.

Female ICT professionals in the region took turns to share their life journeys in the pursuit of ICT to motivate and encourage girls to brave all odds to excel in that field.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Dr Hilla Limann Technical University (DHLTU), Professor Hamida Darimani, who chaired the session, lauded the initiative as it would empower girls to explore the many opportunities in the ICT sector.

The programme provided a platform for the girls to learn from industry experts, network with peers, and gain hands-on insight into how ICT skills could transform their future and communities.

Prof. Darimani, also an Engineer, commended the Ministry and its partners for their consistent efforts since 2012 to bridge the gender gap in ICT through such national programmes, encouraging the girls to take the mentorship seriously.

The mentors encouraged the girls to cultivate a strong interest in ICT to enable them to become active participants and leaders in the rapidly evolving digital world.

The Controller, Retail Experience at the Wa office of MTN Ghana, Miss Emilia Naa Adoley Anang, recounted her personal journey in learning ICT skills, stressing that determination and practice were key to her success.

She narrated how, despite not having access to a computer during her ICT training, she devoted extra effort to perfect her skills whenever she had the chance to practice.

Miss Anang, therefore, encouraged the girls not to be deterred by challenges such as the lack of ICT learning tools, but to take every learning opportunity seriously.

“I want you to have the mentality that you can do it. Do not let anything discourage you. Even if you do not have a laptop, do not give up. The world is growing, and you need to grow with it,” she said.

A Legal and Regulatory Expert at the National Communications Authority (NCA), Mrs Rahmaa Issahaq-Pelpuo, also encouraged the girls to take advantage of opportunities such as the GIICT initiative to realise their potential.

She explained that ICT cut across all professions and had become the new vehicle that drives every sector of the economy - health, business, education, and agriculture, among others.

Other mentors at the session were: Musherifa Mohammed, Customer Care at MTN, Wa office; Mrs Nana Esigyan Khim-Burns from Telecel; and Zariatu Tiffere Osman, an ICT Enthusiast.

Others were Ms Rukayat Bakare, a Network Operating Centre Support Engineer at Dynamic Data Solutions Ltd, Anisatu Ahmed, Digital Inclusion expert, and Diana Aazane, Customer Care at AirtelTigo.

The participants, including Members of Parliament, District and Municipal Chief Executives, and Heads of Departments and Agencies, among others, were treated to a spectacular cultural dance from the Dagaaba Nuoriyeni cultural troupe.

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