Accra, May 6, GNA – The second edition of Girls-in-ICT competition, otherwise known as ‘MISSGIG Ghana’, has been launched by the Minister of Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, in Accra.
The initiative sought to whip up the interest of girls and young women between 13 and 21 years to pursue technology and engineering courses and careers to enable them to have access to jobs in the digital space.
At a news conference in Accra on Wednesday to launch this year’s competition, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said participants were expected to identify a need within their communities to which they could propose a solution that would ride on ICT to resolve it.
The programme formed part of the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) initiative to encourage and empower girls and young women to consider careers in the field of ICT.
Mrs Owusu-Ekuful noted that the Ministry would promote girls’ interest in ICT and not only being consumers of ICT, but becoming active drivers of ICT innovations and ensure gender equality in fulfillment of the SDG goal five.
Therefore, interested girls with ages ranging between 13 and 21 are to visit the Ministry’s website: www.moc.gov.gh to download the application and guidelines to apply for this year’s competition.
The Minister said shortlisted applicants would undergo a Masterclass training in coding, basic computer training and how to pitch their ideas.
The top three shortlist would receive attractive prizes and serve as ambassadors of the programme to disseminate information about the achievements of Girls-in-ICT and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said due to the coronavirus pandemic, all the activities of the competition would be held virtually (online) and urged girls and young women to apply.
Ms Selasi Ama Kwanu won the 2019 edition of the Girls-in-ICT programme, which was announced at the Innovation Africa Summit in Accra for developing an application to prevent electronic pilfering in mobile money transaction known as ‘Kasa Cash System’ to help eradicate fraud in mobile money.
GNA