The Ministry of Communication has appealed to employers to make a deliberate effort to hire female Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) experts who can take up leadership roles in the country’s ICT sector.

Ghana will, this year, celebrate the National Girls in ICT Day on Monday, 27 May 2019 as a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The Day has been earmarked to create a global arena that inspires and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of ICT.

Under the Global theme: “Expanding Horizons and changing attitudes”, the Ministry of Communication is organsing an event to commemorate the Day at the Takoradi Technical University in the Western Region.

A statement released by the Public Relations Unit of the ministry on Wednesday, 22 May 2019 said: “As part of the event, five hundred and sixty (560) Junior High School students were selected from nine (9) districts in the Western Region to undergo training in selected ICT programmes with an award scheme for the best performing ten (10) students. The training was held concurrently in the various districts with fifty (50) trainers provided by the Ghana Education Service, Afiba Consult and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC)

“On Sunday, 26 May, women role models selected from the country’s ICT sector will interact with, and give motivational talks to the students on the growing and rewarding careers in ICT as the sector is marked by a pressing need for a wide range of ICT talents.

“As part of fulfilling its mandate to promote access to ICT among girls and teachers in the country, the Ministry of Communication is calling upon teachers, parents and the general public to encourage girls to take an interest in the study of science subjects and consider a career in ICT.

“It is also important for employers to make a deliberate effort to hire female ICT experts who can take up leadership roles in the country’s ICT sector”, the statement said.