The Ministry of Communications has on Wednesday launched the Ms. Geek Ghana Competition, aimed at empowering girls in the field of ICT. The competition seeks to change the attitude of young girls towards the adoption of ICT and also equip them with digital skills, which is in line with the SDG goal 5 objectives of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. The competition is opened to females between the ages of 13 to 25 years to submit a technology-based solution aimed at solving the basic challenges we face in Ghana and Africa as a whole. Minister for Communication, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, launching the competition, mentioned that her ministry is committed to highlighting the role females bring to the tech-sector and will also offer young girls an opportunity to showcase what they have. “Students of Mamfe Methodist Girls won the International Robotics Competition and they informed me that they have also developed a solution to the bed-bug infestation in our second cycle institutions. “There are probably many more of such hidden talents utilizing technology to solve common everyday challenges,” she added. In line with this, the ministry is calling on all girls between the required age to take up the challenge in other to stand a chance of representing Ghana in this year’s Ms. Geek Africa Competition which will take place in Guinea. The sector Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, also called on stakeholders to support the competition to encourage more girls to consider a career in science and technology. The competition will empower young by educating them in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). “I am encouraging all technology companies, telecommunications companies to partner with us so that we can provide exciting prizes not just to the top 3 finalists but to all the top 10 finalists to encourage, inspire and motivate them to continue innovating.” In December this year, the shortlisted applicants will partake in a masterclass and afterwards present their solutions before a panel at the Innovation Africa Summit as part of its activities. The 10 finalists will be given the international spotlight for partaking in the competition. The winner will also represent Ghana at the Ms. Geek Africa Competition whilst the top 3 finalists will receive cash prizes, business support amongst others. The finalist will also become Geek ambassadors to spread the news of other girl’s achievements in science and technology. The Application deadline is November 10, 2019. Interested persons can send their entries to www.msgeek.org.gh or through the email msgeek@moc.gov.gh Selection criteria - The application must describe the problem you want to solve and how you will go about it, this must include a conceptual design, technologies you will intend to use, stakeholders involved and how content will be generated and would be shared. - The solution must be original or an improvement on existing solutions -Applicants must also consider how many Ghanaians and Africans have limited access to the internet and smart devices. - Provide a graphical representation demonstrating how the solution will be work and an example of its users’ interface.