Hundred Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teachers in the Savannah Region are undergoing a four-day advanced ICT training under the National Girls-in-ICT Programme.

The training seeks to equip the participants with skills in web development, cybersecurity, coding, game and animation development, emerging technologies, and general ICT literacy to enable them to effectively train 1,000 girls from primary and junior high schools (JHSs) across the region.

The teachers, drawn from various schools in all seven districts of the region, were selected to support the government’s efforts to bridge the gender digital divide by empowering girls with essential ICT skills.

The programme also seeks to improve the knowledge of ICT teachers to ensure they are abreast of current technological trends to deliver quality education.

It is being organised by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), the Ministry of Education, and the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council.

Gender gap

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Damongo last Monday, the Director of Policy, Planning, Budget, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, Austin Hesse, said the initiative presented a unique opportunity to bridge the gender gap in digital education.

He explained that by the end of the year, the ministry aimed to train about 3,000 girls and 300 ICT teachers nationwide to encourage more young people — especially girls — to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses.”

“Digital solutions can help tackle humanity’s most pressing challenges, particularly by accelerating inclusive sustainable development. This hinges on harnessing innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence for the good of all,” Mr Hesse said.

He noted that digital technologies could support the achievement of up to 70 per cent of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 agenda.

He urged the trained teachers to collaborate with the trainers and ensure the knowledge gained was transferred to their students.

On behalf of the Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe, the Chief Coordinating Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, Ebenezer Amoah, commended the ministry and its partners for the initiative.

He said the training would go a long way to strengthen teachers’ capacity and enhance their delivery of ICT education in schools.

“This is the second time the training is being held in the Savannah Region. ICT education remains a challenge for many young girls, and we must work to close the gender gap.

“We want to see the Savannah Region rising high among the 16 regions participating in this programme, and we can only achieve that when our teachers have the requisite knowledge," he added.

The Deputy Regional Director of Education, Sheila Arthur, described the training as timely, as it would not only boost the competence of teachers but also contribute to their academic credentials.

She urged teachers to take advantage of such opportunities to continually upgrade themselves to deliver quality ICT education.

For his part, the Deputy Head of Training at GIFEC, Prince Bawah Shaibu, assured teachers of the organisation’s continued support, noting that mentoring materials and quality laptops would be provided to outstanding teachers and students to sustain the programme.