NCA aids 80 girls by providing them with laptops.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) recently distributed eighty laptops to eighty female participants from four regions during the "Open Day" event held at its headquarters in Accra. The regions represented are Oti, Central, Western North, and North East Regions, with each region sending twenty participants.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Director-General for Managerial Operations at the NCA, Ms. Olivia Okailey Quartey, welcomed them on behalf of the Director-General, Mr. Joe Anokye. She congratulated the young women for showing interest in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and emphasized the importance of totally embracing this field due to its relevance in today's job market.
Ms. Quartey encouraged the girls to seize the opportunity offered by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) which is working towards promoting the Girls in ICT initiative, hoping it would drive the participants to greater heights as they are the future of the country.
During a motivational session, some female staff members from the NCA highlighted the underrepresentation of women in the ICT field. They viewed the program as one that empowered and inspired young girls to consider careers in this area. The staff encouraged the girls to update themselves and work diligently as opportunities in this field are boundless.
Miss. Millicent Abra Aidoo-Buameh, one of the supervisors, expressed gratitude on behalf of the participants for the laptop donations. She acknowledged that although the initiative has achieved remarkable success, challenges persist in terms of accessibility to ICT education and the scarcity of tools for ICT education. She therefore urged all to emulate the NCA's efforts in supporting this initiative.
This event is part of a national strategic initiative aimed at bridging the digital skills and access gap for women and girls, recognizing that gender disparities in digital spaces hinder innovation and sustainable development worldwide. The National Girls in ICT celebration, led by the NCA, is not just a charitable gesture but a purposeful empowerment program designed to foster gender equality in digital transformation by providing girls and young women with skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
The program is aligned with global efforts led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) which seeks to close the digital skills and access gap for women and girls. The event typically features panel discussions with female leaders in ICT and related sectors, encouraging female representation and participation in the digital economy. Notable participants in previous ceremonies have included the CEO of Telecel Ghana and representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
The laptop donation event is a key component of the National Girls in ICT celebration, particularly by the NCA. The donation of laptops is a tangible commitment to increasing digital literacy and access, ensuring more girls actively participate in digital learning and careers. The ongoing impact of this celebration and the laptop donation event can be seen in increased visibility and encouragement for girls to pursue ICT careers, contributing to a more inclusive digital future in Ghana. It helps address systemic barriers by providing resources and role models, facilitating conversations on gender equality in technology, and fostering partnerships across government, private sector, and international organizations.
- Ms. Quartey suggested that the participants take advantage of the Girls in ICT initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, as it offers education and self-development in technology, aiming to equip them for success in the current job market.
- In her speech, Miss. Millicent Abra Aidoo-Buameh emphasized the need for more efforts in promoting ICT education and access for girls, acknowledging that it is crucial for closing the digital skills and access gap and fostering gender equality in technology, particularly through initiatives like the National Girls in ICT celebration and laptop donations.
