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Volta Region to Empower 1,000 Girls in ICT through “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation” Initiative
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations (MOCDTI) has launched the 2025 Girls-In-ICT Celebration program in the Volta Region, with the aim of equipping 1,000 girls with vital ICT skills.
The theme of the programme, “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation”, seeks to bridge the gender digital divide and promote inclusive digital development.
The inception meeting, held at the Residency Conference Room in Ho, brought together key stakeholders to discuss the program’s implementation and strategies for success.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, pledged the support of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), stating that the Council would bring all relevant stakeholders on board for the successful rollout of the program.
He expressed confidence that the Girls in ICT initiative would significantly contribute to closing the gender digital divide.
The Chief Director of the Ministry, Alexander Yaw Arphul, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating that it is part of the Ministry’s broader vision to equip Ghana’s youth with practical digital skills.
According to Mr. Arphul, the Girls-In-ICT initiative draws inspiration from the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Resolution 70, which established the global Girls-In-ICT Day in 2011.
The initiative aims to create an environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to explore studies and careers in ICT.
Mr. Arphul highlighted the importance of ICT skills in today’s digital world, stating that it is no longer optional but essential for individuals to perform efficiently and remain competitive in the job market. He emphasized that investing in ICT education is both an economic strategy and a pathway to social equity.
According to him, the initiative also contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education) and 5 (Gender Equality) by encouraging girls to pursue careers in STEM, including ICT.
The Director, PPBME, Mr Austin Hesse outlined various roles to be played by stakeholders in the local planning committee, urging them to engage actively, share their expertise and champion the cause to achieve the programs objectives.
About the 2025 GIICT
The Ministry has set a target to train 3,000 girls in the Volta, Upper East, and Upper West Regions this year, with the Volta Region expected to play a leading role.
The programme is part of the Ministry’s efforts to expand ICT education across all regions.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced the commencement of enforcement of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523), warning institutions that fail to comply with the new requirements of possible fines of up to 2,000 penalty units.
The Authority says it will deploy a Biometric Verification Implementation Task Force to inspect institutions and ensure they comply with the regulations, following the expiration of a three-month grace period granted to businesses and public institutions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, November 2, 2026, the NIA’s Corporate Affairs representative, William Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, said the Authority had completed its public education and stakeholder engagement activities and was now moving into the enforcement and compliance monitoring phase.
He explained that the regulations require institutions that verify the identities of customers or applicants as part of their operations to use the NIA’s approved biometric verification platform instead of relying solely on visual inspection of the Ghana Card.
Under the new rules, institutions are prohibited from photocopying, scanning or keeping copies of the Ghana Card for identity verification purposes.
Mr Darlas stressed that simply collecting a customer’s Ghana Card, looking at the photograph and comparing it with the person presenting it would no longer be accepted as a valid method of identity verification.
He, however, clarified that the Ghana Card remains the country’s official national identity document and that citizens are not required to register for a new card or capture their biometrics again under the new regulations.
He said the new system is intended to reduce identity fraud, impersonation and other crimes by ensuring that the person presenting the Ghana Card is the actual owner.
According to him, the biometric verification process will rely on information already captured during Ghana Card registration, including fingerprints, iris details and facial features stored in the card’s chip.
Mr Darlas warned institutions against using third-party companies or individuals to access the NIA’s identity verification platform, insisting that the Authority does not work with intermediaries.
He said institutions seeking access to the National Identity Register must deal directly with the NIA and complete its official onboarding process.
The process requires institutions to prove that they are legally registered companies in Ghana, obtain certification from the Data Protection Commission and work with the NIA’s technical team to establish the necessary connection to its platform.
He further cautioned institutions already connected to the platform against subletting their access to other businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
He disclosed that the Authority had received reports of some institutions providing their verification services to other businesses without the NIA’s approval and warned that those involved would face legal action.
Mr Darlas said organisations that fail to comply with L.I. 2523 could face fines ranging from 500 to 2,000 penalty units, depending on the nature of the offence.
He explained that the NIA does not have the authority to impose the fines directly but would take offenders to court for the appropriate punishment.
He indicated that Institutions found guilty could also face additional administrative measures, including being barred from accessing the NIA’s verification platform in the future.
The NIA representative further clarified that the new regulations do not prohibit all institutions from physically using the Ghana Card during transactions.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited, Nana Kwesi Boatey, has revealed how he transformed a major overstaffing challenge into a success story through the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, November 2, Mr. Boatey disclosed that when he assumed office in February 2025, and inherited a bloated workforce of 250 employees doing work that could be efficiently handled by 150 people, a situation that created serious liquidity challenges for the state-owned company.
Instead of resorting to downsizing, he adopted an innovative approach by instituting a 24-hour operational system.
Under the new system, staff were redistributed across three shifts: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.
This not only ensured optimal use of labour but also maximized machine utilization and improved overall output.
According to him, the single move redefined the productivity culture within the company, reinforcing discipline, accountability, and efficiency.
The Ghana Publishing Company’s turnaround is being cited as a practical example of how the 24-Hour Economy policy can drive growth without job losses.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
