Female students in the Eastern Region have been encouraged to take advantage of e-learning and online platforms to advance their skills.
Addressing the students in Koforidua as part of activities to mark Girls in ICT Day, stakeholders tasked them to fully embrace technology for their personal development.
The Day highlights the need to promote technology career among girls in the world’s fastest growing sector.
Over 100 girl-child students from three senior high schools converged in Koforidua to be mentored and encouraged to choose STEM careers.
Innovations from students were on display.
The Eastern Regional Girls Education Director, Patricia Birago-Gyamfi, urged the girls to explore e-learning platforms as government provides more equipment and infrastructure.
“I encourage you to develop your skills to explore the opportunities that exist. Government in collaboration with GES is making efforts to provide laptops to schools. STEM Infrastructure are ongoing.”
Chief Executive Officer of Tech Farms Kobina Admadzi Longdon hinted access to jobs in the future would be driven by technology and innovation.
“The jobs of the future will be driven by technology and innovation. The United Nations International Telecommunication Union report says 65 percent of children entering primary school today will have jobs that do not exist.”
Country Director of Plan International Solomon Tesfa-Mariam expressed his outfit’s commitment to ensure girls have equal opportunity to be educated, access information and have access to good employment.
“We have to use ICT to encourage and empower you to become the best. We have new funding this year in that regard,” he said.
He, however, cautioned the students against exposing personal data on social media and called on government to invest in cyber security and digitalisation.
“When we have access to all kind of information, some are harmful, I strongly recommend you do not provide your personal details or picture to strangers who request it. I call on government to invest in cyber security and digitalisation.”
Some participants shared their experience about the mentorship programme.
“I think it’s a very good idea. Up until recently, the focus was on boys, we have been thinking there is a box, but there is no box. You don’t have to be Estein to achieve anything, girls in ICT is good, I have been encouraged. I will pursue biotech for my further education.”
Source: TV3 Ghana
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