SPEECH DELIVERED BY HON. URSULA OWUSU-EKUFUL (MP), MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITALISATION AT THE CLIMAX OF THE 2024 GIRLS-IN-ICT CELEBRATION HELD AT CEDI CONFERENCE CENTER
Source: ministry_of_communications_ghana

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HON. URSULA OWUSU-EKUFUL (MP), MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITALISATION AT THE CLIMAX OF THE 2024 GIRLS-IN-ICT CELEBRATION HELD AT CEDI CONFERENCE CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON GREATER ACCRA REGION ON 10TH JULY 2024 AT 10:00 AM The rep of the Ga Mantse, Nii Ahene Nunoo III, paramount chief of Abola and Ga Atofotse, niimei and Naasei Vice Chancellor, University of Ghana, Prof nana Aba Appiah Amfo Greater Accra Regional Minister, hon Titus Nii Kwatei Glover Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, hon charles Acheampong Hon. Members of Parliament Hon. Members of Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications Chief Director and staff of the MOCD MCEs and DCEs Regional and district directors of education Our respected Chiefs, Heads of Sector Agencies, Heads of Institutions Members of the Diplomatic Corps Girls in ICT beneficiaries Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning! I am grateful you accepted our invitation to the first celebration of the Girls in ICT Initiative in 2024. This inspiring journey began with a vision to bridge the digital gender gap in ICT and empower our young girls to participate fully in the digital world through the transformative power of Information and Communication Technology. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the participating girls who have demonstrated outstanding talent, creativity, and enthusiasm throughout this program. Your dedication and hard work are commendable, and you are the shining stars of today’s event. You have not only embraced the opportunities presented to you but have also showcased the limitless potential that lies within each one of you. The world is rapidly evolving into a digital age where technology is gradually influencing all aspects of our everyday lives. We can all attest to the fact that the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) have been largely dominated by our boys and this has created a gender digital divide that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. We need to introduce deliberate measures to bridge this digital divide to offer a level playing field for our young ladies to also become innovators and problem solvers of our world today and tomorrow. I have always had a special place in my heart for the Girls-in-ICT initiative which to me is a conscious effort to break barriers, dispel myths, and build a more welcoming digital future rather than a mere program. We need to make sure that girls are not left behind in a world where technology is changing every part of our lives. For them to prosper in this new digital era, we must give them equal access to opportunities, resources, and tools. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, since the adoption and launch of the GIICT initiative in 2012, we have seen tremendous progress over the years. What began as a modest one day event has grown into a powerful initiative, impacting the lives of 13,981 young girls across Ghana. Today, we celebrate not only their achievements but also the journey that brought us here. When we initiated the Girls-in-ICT program, our aim as a Ministry was clear: to create an inclusive environment where girls could explore and excel in the field of information and communication technology. We recognized the transformative power of ICT and the critical need to ensure that girls are not left behind in this digital revolution. Over the years the Ministry has been successful at putting together various initiatives to ensure that this goal is met through the support of our sponsors. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) since the introduction and launch of the initiative in 2011 has set various annual global themes. The global theme for 2024 is “Leadership” which is profoundly relevant as it empowers young girls to envision themselves as influential figures in the tech industry. By focusing on leadership, the theme challenges gender stereotypes, builds confidence, and encourages the development of crucial skills such as decision- making and strategic thinking. It highlights the importance of female role models and mentors, fostering an inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem that drives innovation. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I acknowledge and thank all institutions which have committed financial resources to support this noble initiative and encourage current and potential sponsors to envision their support for this initiative as an investment in the future leaders of tomorrow who will lead the charge when we have retired. I want to assure our current sponsors that we appreciate their unwavering support for the Girls in ICT initiative but just like Oliver Twist, we will always ask for more. Your generous contributions have empowered thousands of young girls and provided them with the skills and opportunities needed to excel in the digital world. Our journey, however, is far from over and I take this opportunity to call for more sponsors to join us on this transformative mission. With more support, we can expand our reach to more regions and impact the lives of more girls. I visited some of the training centers during the last week of training for the girls, to observe the progress firsthand and as always, was profoundly impressed by the transformation I witnessed; girls who initially had little or no knowledge of computers were now displaying remarkable confidence and skill in ICT. Their enthusiasm and rapid learning was a testament to the effectiveness of the training programme and the immense potential of these young girls when given the right opportunities and support. Many previous beneficiaries of this initiative have gone on to study STEM programmes in secondary and tertiary institutions and this inspiring development underscores the critical importance of continuing and expanding this initiative. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I extend my profound gratitude to the Greater Accra Regional Minister, and the dedicated team at the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council for the hard work and support from the very beginning to this end. I am grateful to the Members of Parliament, MCEs and DCEs, Regional and District Director of Education, Girl Education Officers, Teachers, Parents, Mentors, the National planning committee, and agency heads of the Ministry, and all who played a role in making the Girls-In-ICT celebration in the Greater Accra Region a success. And to our beloved participating girls, I applaud you for your courage, hard work, and determination in taking this bold step toward a future of unlimited possibilities. I leave you with these powerful words from Michelle Obama from her Book “Becoming” and I quote, “For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” So, as you move forward from this celebration to become innovators and global leaders, remember that this is just the beginning. The skills you have acquired, the friendships you have formed, and the experiences you have gained are merely stepping-stones to greater achievements. Embrace the challenges ahead with the same determination and passion that brought you here today. The future is yours to shape, and I have no doubt that you will rise to the occasion and make a remarkable impact. Continue to learn, grow and evolve throughout your lives and just as we have done here today with this event, remember to celebrate the small victories along the way. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, funding for the GIICT Initiative every year has always been difficult but considering the effectiveness of the program it was clear that we needed to devise a more sustainable financial model with an enhanced training content for more girls all year round. The current approach is not sustainable. The passion and enthusiasm for this programme must also be sustained into the future to enable us contribute significantly to the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 and 5. Thankfully, we have a solution to this challenge and the conceived and well-thought-through sustainable financial model for the enhanced Girls in ICT Initiative will be launched today. I encourage you to stay on and witness the new paradigm shift of the GIICT Initiative into the future. Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to the team at the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) and my team at the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation for their hard work and dedication in ensuring that the Girls in ICT celebration is successfully held in the Greater Accra Region. Looking ahead, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable digital landscape. Let us work together to ensure that every girl, regardless of her background, can explore, learn, and excel in the field of ICT. We aim to extend these celebrations to some more regions, provided we secure the necessary funding, and we will. Therefore, I take this opportunity to urge our sponsors to continue supporting us to realize this vision. The Girls-in-ICT initiative is here to stay and together with your help, we can build a brighter future where the dreams of our girls are realized, and their contributions celebrated. Thank You and May God continue to bless us all.