Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana Legon has urged girls to embrace Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills, highlighting their significance in the fourth industrial revolution economy.
Speaking at the National Girls in ICT, Mentorship, and Climax event organized by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization, Professor Kaufmann emphasized the importance of STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for future generations.
Professor Kaufmann commended the Ministry’s efforts in training over 13,981 girls and 1,300 teachers in basic computer skills, cyber security awareness, scratch, and website design since 2012. She encouraged girls to develop ICT skills to solve problems and improve their environments.
The Professor also stressed the need for practical and interactive teaching methods, ensuring students understand and apply concepts to real-life problems.
The event aimed to promote girls’ participation in ICT and STEM fields, addressing the gender gap in technology. Professor Kaufmann’s personal story, from her childhood to becoming a professor, inspired the girls to pursue their dreams in ICT-related careers.
She called on development partners, non-governmental organizations, and private institutions to partner with the Ministry to empower girls with ICT skills, ensuring they can access jobs in the evolving sector.
The event highlighted the importance of intentional curriculum development and implementation to sustain girls’ interest in ICT and STEM fields. By encouraging girls to embrace ICT skills, Professor Kaufmann hopes to inspire a new generation of female leaders in technology.
Oyerepafmonline.com/Bernard K Dadzie
