As part of the National Girls-In-ICT initiative, the Ministry of Communication (MoC) in collaboration with the American Tower Corporation (ATC) have embarked on an initiative to introduce and assign 62 school girls to female mentors who are working in various fields of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
This is will ensure that these girls go beyond the theoretical part of ICT learning, and expose them to the significant jobs available in the field.
Speaking at the open day event in Accra on Tuesday, Minister for Communication, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said, “we are optimistic that this initiative would enable the girls gain practical appreciation of ICT and the many opportunities that it provides,” adding, “this will enable them make concrete decision to pursue careers in ICT.”
The 62 selected girls earlier participated in this year’s Girls in ICT program held in the Ashanti Region in May.
The girls selected from Asokore Mampong, Atwima Nwabiagya, Atwima Kwanwoma, Bekwai, Bosomtwe and lastly, Kwabre East paid a two-day visit to the ATC where they were paired with female ATC engineers to enable them gain understanding of the practical application of ICT as well as the operations of ATC.
Relevance
“The girls will gain understanding of ICT and engineering operation of ATC, as they are going to experience in a day the life of a female engineer,” Owusu-Ekuful said.
“I have no doubt that this experience would be one of the high points of your educational practice and will stay with you for a very long time to come,” She added.
This will serve as an encouragement to girls and young women to consider pursuing ICT Careers.
ATC Ghana
According to CEO of ATC Ghana, Mr Francois Van Zyl, as part of the week-long activities, the girls will gain great exposure from the best professionals in their field, exploring the range of career opportunities that are available in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. This was contained in a speech which was read on his behalf by Mrs Letitia Asiedu-Attafuah, Head of Human Resources of the Corporation.
She said, “we believe that by the time you return to your respective schools, you will be inspired and highly motivated to pursue your studies aggressively, so that you will eventually have formidable careers in the ICT industry in Ghana as the next generation.”
By Joshua W. Amlanu