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Girls-In-ICT Mentorship Day Inspires 1,000 Beneficiaries at Ho
Over 1,000 girls gathered on June 24, 2025 at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) Cedi Auditorium in Ho, for the 2025 Girls-In-ICT Mentorship Day.
It was an event aimed at inspiring the beneciary girls to pursue careers in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and STEM fields.
The event, organized under the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations’ flagship Girls-In-ICT initiative, brought together leading women experts in ICT to mentor and inspire the next generation of female tech leaders.
The Chairperson, Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, emphasized that the initiative is part of the Ministry’s target to train 3,000 girls and 300 ICT/STEM teachers across the Volta, Upper East, and Upper West Regions this year, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to digital inclusion.
She highlighted the underrepresentation of women in ICT, noting that only 30% of ICT professionals globally are women, with even lower figures in Africa and Ghana. This, she said, underscores the urgent need to include more girls and women in technology.
Addressing the mentees, she praised their achievements, stating that their mastery of coding, application design, and problem-solving are not just skills but powerful tools to reshape Ghana’s technological landscape.
”As you sit here in this room, you embody something truly outstanding. Every line of code you have mastered, every application you have designed, every challenge you have overcome in your ICT training are not simply skills you have acquired. They are powerful tools you now possess to reshape our nation’s technological landscape.” She reiterated
She challenged stereotypes, declaring that the certificates awarded to the girls are “bold declarations challenging outdated stereotypes” and proof that young women can excel in advanced ICT concepts.
Ms. Amankwaa underscored the transformative power of mentorship, describing it as a “sacred space” where questions are encouraged, dreams are nurtured, and confidence is built.
She called on the girls to engage fully, ask bold questions, and dream without reservation, urging them to see the event as a launchpad for greatness.
”what we are creating here today through mentorship represent nothing less than a magical transformation of raw potential into tangible achievement. This is far more than just another program; it is a thriving ecosystem where brilliance is nurtured, where “I think I can” evolves into “I know I will,” and where the seeds of today’s curiosity blossom into tomorrow’s groundbreaking innovations”. She added
The Chairperson concluded by reminding participants that the future of technology in Ghana depends on their passion, creativity, and dedication, and encouraged them to seize the opportunities ahead.
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
