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Develop abilities in ICT and STEM – Ursula Ekuful encourages young girls
The Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Mrs Ursula Owusu Ekuful has encouraged young girls in the country to develop their abilities in digital skills and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education as well as choose careers in such areas.
According to her, there was a wide gap between boys and girls when it comes to digital skills and taking up ICT and STEM courses.
“There is the need to demystify ICT and bring it to the doorstep of everyone and let the girls know that the area is not only for boys but they can also have digital skills” she said.
Mrs Ekuful made these statements when she toured some Girls-in-ICT training centres in the Eastern region to interact with the girls and encourage them.
The Girls-in-ICT training project was adopted by MoCD in 2017 as an initiative, to equip girls between the ages of 9 and 15 years (Upper Primary to Junior High School), with knowledge and skills in basic ICT and Coding.
The programme is being implemented with support from Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) as the technical resource provider, with training by Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence (KACE) and y MTN Ghana, National Communications Authority (NCA), American Towers Company (ATC), Ministry of Education, GIZ and others.
1000 girls and 100 teachers would be trained in the Eastern region in basic Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills and beneficiaries would be taken through coding, cybersecurity, website development among others.
Mrs Ekuful reiterated the need to train more girls in ICT to narrow the gender digital gap since fewer girls have skills in computer.
She stated that the whole world was going digital, reiterating the need to immense girls and not to leave anyone behind, hence to train the youth to enable them compete in the digital space and enable them to contribute towards the rapid technological progress and productivity in the country.
She revealed that as part of the project, the MoCD in collaboration with GIFEC and other stakeholders were working hard to provide computer laboratories for senior high schools in the country “so that by the time the girls who have been trained get there they will be able to use the computers.”
She revealed that the project was not just a regional capital project but the young girls and teachers have been selected from the 33 districts of the region to enable all districts have a feel of the impact of the project.
“We have done other 12 or 13 regions and after this we would want to see our youth equipped with digital skills which they can utilise in every area of their lives, ”she said.
She stated that after the training the girls and teachers could go back and train others who could not participate in the training to enable the project to be sustained and maintained beyond the project.
“We would want to build computer laboratories so that after the training the girls and teachers would have access to ICT devices to enable them continue practice and get all sort of learning resources and this would help to expand the scope of the project
Mrs Ekuful who was excited about the progress made revealed her ministry was in the process of procuring the computers for the SHS to enhance the project.
One of the students who was a beneficiary of the project, Mashline Avorga said the project has equipped her interest in the area, adding that previously she thought ICT was for boys.
It is her hope to get a career in the area and encouraged other girls to also develop interest in ICT.
She thanked the MoCD and all stakeholders for rolling out the project.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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GEXIM to host “SME GO” programme stakeholder sensitisation and fair on September 18
The Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana will be hosting the final phase of the stakeholder sensitisation exercise on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) Programme at the Bank’s headquarters located at the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
The stakeholder sensitisation event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday SSeptember18, 2024 at 10 am and will give attendees a deeper insight into the SME GO Programme with a focus on the dynamics of the programme, eligibility criteria application process and how the initiative seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and compete favorably in the international marketplace.
The confirmed speakers and dignitaries for the event will highlight how Ghanaian SMEs can leverage on the SME GO Programme to build the capacities and make them sustainable.
They include Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana.
Alongside the stakeholder sensitisation event, GEXIM will be hosting a special edition of its popular SME Fair dubbed “SME GO Mart” at the forecourt of the Africa Trade House, from 8am to 8pm.
The theme for the “SME GO Mart” is “Celebrating Ghanaian SMEs” and it will provide a platform for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to showcase various top-quality Made-In-Ghana products.
Over hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair.
They will be exhibiting several unique and authentic products at unbeatable prices including food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance launched the SME GO Programme, a ground breaking initiative which sought to provide Ghanaian SMEs with the needed funds, requisite technology and knowledge as well as other relevant resources and tools to aid their growth to become international giants.
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Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study
A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.
The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.
Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”
“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.
The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.
The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.
Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.
