Stakeholders in Ghana’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector have urged young girls participating in the 2026 Girls in ICT programme to harness emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to develop innovative solutions to challenges confronting society.
The call was made at the opening of the 2026 Girls in ICT Open Day on September 7, which brought together 100 outstanding girls from participating regions to showcase their skills and receive further training, mentorship and exposure to Ghana’s technology ecosystem.
Director-General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), Dr Ing. Afari Yeboah, said the Open Day provided an opportunity to celebrate the girls’ achievements while preparing them to play an active role in Ghana’s digital transformation.
He said the themes of the 2025 and 2026 Girls in ICT initiatives — “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation” and “AI for Development, Girls Shaping the Digital Future” — were particularly relevant as technology continued to reshape society.
“Digital transformation can only be meaningful when the young ladies here have the opportunities not only to access technology but also to acquire the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to create and shape it,” he said.
Dr Yeboah noted that the growing influence of AI presented significant opportunities for young people in areas including education, agriculture, healthcare, business, finance and public services.
He, however, cautioned the girls to consider the ethical implications of emerging technologies, particularly privacy, cybersecurity, misinformation, fairness and algorithmic bias.
“As future technology leaders, we must champion the ethical and responsible use of AI and digital technologies,” he stressed.
Dr Yeboah also encouraged the participants to become ambassadors for other young women interested in technology, urging them to build on the skills and exposure gained through the programme.
He challenged the girls to continue learning, experimenting and collaborating as they pursued excellence.
“Let this moment be a springboard for greater achievements. Continue to learn, experiment, collaborate and pursue excellence. I leave you with these three simple words: Learn. Innovate. Lead,” he said.
Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, described the Girls in ICT initiative as more than a training programme, saying it represented a national investment in Ghana’s future.
He noted that although technology, innovation and knowledge would play a major role in shaping the country’s future, women remained underrepresented in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering and data science.
“The Girls in ICT initiative is more than a training tour. It is a national investment. Technology, innovation and knowledge will shape the future of our nation,” he said.
The Minister urged the girls to develop the confidence and technical skills required to become the next generation of innovators, engineers, developers and digital leaders.
He encouraged them to see themselves occupying prominent positions in Ghana’s technology ecosystem.
“Do not let anyone convince you that technology will be reserved for other people. See yourself as Ghana’s and the world’s next great software developer, the next AI researcher of our country, the next cybersecurity expert of our country, the next Minister of Communication when you qualify,” he said.
Samuel George further challenged the participants to use technology to tackle real-world problems and contribute to national development.
He urged them to believe in themselves, work hard, embrace challenges and use technology to improve lives and make Ghana proud.
Representing Computer Warehouse Group Ghana Limited (CWG Ghana), Head of Project and Technology Services, Oluwaseun Layade, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the Girls in ICT programme.
He said the initiative went beyond technology training, providing young girls with opportunities to build confidence, develop skills and pursue careers in the ICT sector.
According to him, CWG Ghana had witnessed the transformative impact of technology on businesses and communities and believed Ghana’s digital future would be stronger with greater participation of girls and women in STEM.
Mr Layade cited CWG Ghana’s Managing Director, Harriet Attram-Yartey, as an example of the leadership opportunities available to women in the ICT industry.
“Our MD is a lady and CWG is one of the leading ICT companies in Ghana and one of the very few that has a lady at the helm of affairs. So don’t think that you are too small, don’t think that you are just a girl,” he said.
He explained that Ms Attram-Yartey started her career in sales and marketing and had risen to lead one of Ghana’s premier ICT companies for more than a decade.
Mr Layade urged the girls to remain curious, creative and determined, saying the skills acquired through the programme could open opportunities in software engineering, cybersecurity, AI and data analytics.
“Take full advantage of this programme, learn as much as you can, ask questions and seize every opportunity to grow. The skills you develop today may shape your future and contribute to Ghana’s development tomorrow,” he said.
The 2026 Girls in ICT Open Day is providing the participants with opportunities for mentorship, hands-on demonstrations, coding and AI workshops, career guidance, leadership development and exposure to leading ICT institutions and technology companies.
