Africa-Press – Ghana. The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) has trained 240 women in basic Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Entrepreneurial Skills to enhance their economic conditions.
Dubbed, “ICT Skills for Entrepreneurial Women Empowerment (ISEWE)”, the training programme which is in its second phase was held within three (3) communities namely, Manhean, Krachi Nchumuru and Abetifi.
It formed part of GIFEC’s ICT Capacity Building and Skills Development programme and is implemented with support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The first phase of the training programme was held in 2019 which witnessed the training of 100 women each in Asumura, Goaso, Asankrangwa and Berekum.
Mr. Prince Sefah, the Administrator of GIFEC, speaking at the climax at Manhean in the Ga West Municipal, said women were the most celebrated around the world for the significant roles they played in society, hence the need to involve them more in the national development process.
He said, “it is saddening that the participation of women in governance, politics, education, science, and technology is not where it ought to be yet.”
Mr. Sefah said according to UNESCO’s groundbreaking study report, “Cracking the Code: Girls’ and women’s education in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),” only 35 per cent of STEM students in higher education globally are women.
He said in this light, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, and through GIFEC, was making conscious efforts to close the gender digital divide.
The Administrator said that GIFEC was the key technical resource and training facilitator of the Girls in ICT Programme of the Ministry which sought to encourage and empower girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICTs.
“This will enable both the girls and industry to reap the benefits of greater female participation in the ICT sector,” he added.
He said since 2017, about 5,000 girls and 500 teachers had been trained in basic ICT skills and coding. preparations were far advanced to train 5,000 more girls and 500 teachers in 5 regions this year.
Naa Sakoa I, the Queen Mother of Manhean, advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the knowledge and skills acquired to improve on their business and living conditions. The beneficiaries were presented with certificates for their participation in the training programme.
The purpose of the project is to bring ICTs within reach of rural areas and under-privileged groups, as a vehicle to train disadvantaged girls and women, to acquire literacy skills, numeracy skills, entrepreneurial skills and more importantly, help the unemployed start and build their own businesses.
The programme is to expand the digital capabilities and benefits of ICTs to disadvantaged women and girls through capacity building, education, and awareness.
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