STEM Coordinator for the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) Education Directorate in the Central Region, Ms. Benedicta Ampofo, has called on government to prioritize investment in school's ICT infrastructure and teacher training to inspire the interest of female students in pursuing careers in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The call was made at a digital skills training for girls, held at the Nyanfeku Ekroful Methodist Basic School in commemoration of the 'International Girls in ICT Day', a global initiative led by the International Telecommunication Union to encourage girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the tech sector.

The training themed, "Empowering Girls through Technology," witnessed female pupils from seven (7) basic schools within the AAK District which included Pra Ewusi D/A Islamic, Nyanfeku Ekroful Methodist Basic, Nyanfeku Ekroful Catholic, Gyandokrom D/A Basic, Abuenu D/A Basic, Crown of Glory School, and the Asebu Oxford Academy, where students were trained on robotics and also equipped with the practical skill on how to use microsoft word.

Ms. Benedicta Ampofo in an interview with Sompa TV's Eric Annan emphasized that while awareness campaigns are important, the lack of adequate ICT facilities in many schools—especially in underserved communities—continues to limit girls’ exposure to technology.

She stressed that without practical access to computers, internet connectivity, and digital tools, efforts to bridge the gender gap in ICT will remain ineffective.

“Girls have the potential to excel in technology, but they need the right environment and encouragement,” she said to note that, “Equipping schools and training teachers to guide and mentor female students is key to changing the narrative.”

The AAK STEM Coordinator further highlighted the critical role teachers play in shaping students’ interests, calling for targeted capacity-building programs that will enable them to effectively teach ICT and mentor girls desire for the course.

She bemoaned how sad it is to witness lot of female learners during ICT lessons at basic level, yet turns to have a shape decline in that numbers as students seek to climb the educational ladder, all due to the conditions students are subjected to study ICT with inadequate resources. A condition she underscored, makes the subject pose too difficult for female students to pursue since its a more practical subject than theoretical.

Ms. Ampofo again urged collaboration between government agencies, private sector players, and institutions such as the Ghana Education Service to design policies and programs that actively promote girls’ participation in ICT education.

Madam Beatrice Danso, a Guest Speaker at the program who doubles as an ICT teacher at the Nyanfeku Ekroful Catholic School, charged girls to be curious enough like their male colleagues to build their desire and interest in ICT careers, since the field is driven by curiously.

She also urged parents and guardians to encourage their daughters to take up roles often assigned to guys at the house like repairing and checking up of sophisticated gadgets like phones, laptops, radio sets, and other electrical items.

Some students at the close of the training equally shared excitement towards the training section to underscore how positive the training will impact their learning and desire for ICT and tech-field careers.

Sompaonline.com//Eric Annan