The Ministry of Communications (MoC) in collaboration with the NCA and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications has launched the Ghana version of the internationally acclaimed ICT competition for young girls’ dubbed ‘Ms. Geek Ghana’.
The competition which was founded in Rwanda as ‘Miss Geek Rwanda’ in 2014 which later became ‘Miss Geek Africa’ in 2017 was created to inspire girls in Africa within the ages of 13-25 to solve challenges in the continent using technology and to encourage them to pursue careers in technology, science, mathematics and engineering .
The MoC says it is miming this competition in Ghana to achieve gender equality and to empower all young women in fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goal 5.
Speaking at the official launch in Accra Wednesday, Minister for Communications Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said that if young women, especially those in vulnerable societies and situations are encouraged to develop solutions which address untapped needs or improve existing initiatives, then they likely to work.
She said “though women play a vital role in our society they are likely to face social injustices and are also less likely to be educated and have access to ICT in overcoming their situations.”
She noted that the MoC has decided to fully adopt and promote the Miss Geek Competition to move the efforts from getting young women from just being consumers and teaming about ICT but to become actual drivers of the ICT enabled solutions.
The Miss Geek Ghana competition is being run across Ghana and will be done with the ICT hubs, who will be responsible for assessing the initial entries and shortlisting the applicants.
Mrs Owusu-Ekufful explained that “In December, the shortlisted applicants will participate in a masterclass and at the end, will have to present their solutions before a panel. The winner will represent Ghana at the next Miss Geek Africa. The top three finalist will receive cash prizes and business support amongst others and most importantly for us.”
“They will spread the word about girls’ and women’s achievements in STEM, encourage girls to develop their STEM skills, encourage teenage girls to take up courses in physics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering, encourage girls and women to participate in Miss Geek Ghana and submit meaningful contributions,” she added.
She encouraged all young women between the ages of 13 and 25 to think through issues facing them and their community, develop a simple solution using ICT and submit it through msgeek.org.gh.
Applicants can also submit their entries in person, by post or via email at info@msgeek.org.gh or msgeek@moc.gov..
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM