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Give girls equal opportunities to participate in digital economy – Adwoa Wiafe of MTN
A group picture with the Girls in ICT from Aburi SHS at MTN House
MTN Ghana has commemorated this year’s International Day of Girls in ICT with the theme ‘Leadership.’
This year, the focus shifted to the importance of strong female role models in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.
The International Day of Girls in ICT which is observed on April 25 each year is an initiative supported by ITU Member States to encourage girls and young women to pursue careers in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT).
As part of the observation which also saw a partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization, MTN Ghana hosted ICT students from Aburi Girls SHS at the MTN House for a facility visit and interaction with female engineers.
Additionally, the MTN Ghana Foundation will partner with Mobile Web Ghana, an ICT company, to encourage girls in Junior High Schools in and around the Agbogba community to pursue STEM careers.
Adwoa Wiafe, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana used the occasion to congratulate women and institutions in Ghana that are championing the cause of girls in ICT.
She called on Corporate Ghana to join the efforts in increasing female representation in ICT/STEM.
Ms Wiafe emphasised MTN Ghana’s commitment to ensuring that women and girls have equal opportunities to participate in the digital economy, noting that providing girls with equal access to digital training and education was crucial in shaping a strong digital future.
MTN Ghana has been promoting Girls in ICT in basic and Senior High Schools as well as the tertiary institutions for several years now.
The company has so far invested GH¢12.6 million to support the Girls in ICT project led by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization, benefiting over 8,000 girls across Ghana.
The MTN Ghana Foundation has also established Robotics and ICT facilities in collaboration with institutions and communities to bridge the digital gap.
Recently, the MTN Ghana Foundation handed over a state-of-the-art Robotics Centre to the Mamfe Methodist Girls SHS at a cost of GHȻ2,280,489.
The facility includes a 100-seater hall for Robotics training and practice, a research room equipped with computers for teachers and students, robotics equipment, furniture, and internet access.
By Spectator Reporter
Firefighters from the Upper West Regional Command have responded to a vehicular incident involving a long vehicle carrying 35 Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC totes) reportedly containing hydrogen peroxide at Goriyiri in the Nadowli-Kaleo District.
The five-member crew, led by ASTNO Balagee, reported to the scene where a fire and an explosion had reportedly occurred.
The firefighters assessed the scene, identified the chemical hazards and implemented appropriate response measures, bringing the situation under control.
The driver reportedly sustained severe chemical burns and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
