By Hlordzie Jessica Mawuena
Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful
Excitement befell members in the Eastern Region as the Minister of Communication and Digitalization, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, held a mentorship session and culminated the Girls-In-ICT program which took place at Koforidua Cultural centre.
Starting with the mentorship session on October 30, 2023, as part of the activities to celebrate the National Girls-In-ICT program, 1000 participants from the Eastern Region took part in it.
The mentorship session is aimed at grooming the girls on life skills, career development and to also encourage them to consider the opportunities in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The mentors were women with careers in ICT, Telecommunications, Cybersecurity Authority, Manners on Point, and some former beneficiaries of the Girls-In-ICT program.
The girls received education on managing their menstrual hygiene, helping them understand and prepare for their menstrual cycles as young girls.
The mentors also talked to the girls about the importance of treating their bodies with respect by maintaining personal hygiene and appearing neat and well-dressed.
The Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, motivated the girls to have self-belief and work hard to reach their goals.
“Our mentors shared their own journeys, and despite facing challenges, they succeeded. So, girls, you are achievers too, and you can achieve great things because you were chosen from your districts, making you special and capable of being a positive influence in your communities.”
She encouraged the girls to keep practicing what they’ve learned to improve their skills.
Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Communication Minister, revealed her life story to the youth, emphasizing that beyond the attention associated with being a high-ranking government official, there was a history of hard work and perseverance.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful, a women’s rights advocate and lawyer, mentioned that her dedication to education and persistent pursuit of academic excellence allowed her to avoid a life of struggling to make ends meet, as she had even sold charcoal in the past.
She stated, “I have sold charcoal before. If it weren’t for education, I might still be selling charcoal. Today, thanks to God’s grace and my education, I am a lawyer and a communication minister. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the educational policies we are implementing to educate our people.”
Ms. Ama Bawa, the Communications Lead at the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), shared that a 2016 research report found that 2 in 10 students had met someone they first encountered online, and 3 in 10 had encountered cyber security issues. She defined cyberbullying as using hurtful messages or actions online. Ama Bawa also warned about online groomers and sexual predators using tactics like fake accounts, flattering words, and intimacy building. She advised students to use strong passwords, keep profiles private, and avoid sharing sensitive photos to stay safe online.
Climaxing the National ICT programme on 31st of October, the top three participants in the competition were awarded plaques, laptops, and cash prizes of Ghc3,000, Ghc2,500 and Ghc2,000 for positions of first, second and third respectively.
Nearly 100 laptops were also distributed to successful competition participants, and teachers were acknowledged for their invaluable contributions to the students’ development.
Several notable figures, including the Chairperson of the occasion and the Deputy Minister of Education, expressed their support for the program’s mission to empower young women in the field of ICT.
With the Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, revealing her intention to establish a trust fund dedicated to the Girls-In-ICT program, its primary objective is to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.
She stressed the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to make this vision a reality, underlining the need for the Girls in ICT project to transcend any individual’s tenure, even her own.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful has invited entities such as the Ministry of Education, MTN, Vodafone, and other agencies to become anchor members of this trust fund. She highlighted the program’s significance, with plans to expand its reach to three additional regions, reinforcing the government’s commitment to provide access to ICT education for more students nationwide.
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