At the Females in Tech (FEMITECH) conference, organized by The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE) on March 7, 2024, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Associate Professor and Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, delivered a compelling call to action. The renowned Quiz Mistress of the National Science and Maths Quiz, Prof. Kaufmann urged educational institutions to cultivate inclusive curriculums that cater to diverse learning styles, particularly inspiring women.
Highlighting the imperative to bridge the digital gap for access to information, economic opportunities, innovation, and inequality reduction, Prof. Kaufmann emphasized the necessity of integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) with healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, and disaster management. She stressed the importance of implementing digital literacy programs in Ghana to unlock the full potential of ICT.
“Let us bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive innovation through strategic use of information and communication technologies,” urged Prof. Kaufmann. She advocated for comprehensive digital literacy initiatives to ensure that individuals can access and comprehend digital information effectively. Moreover, she emphasized the significance of infrastructure development, including internet access and necessary materials, to facilitate this endeavor.
Prof. Kaufmann underscored the transformative potential of digital systems in healthcare, where accurate patient information can be accessed by doctors and nurses across various hospitals. “If you do not have access to information and knowledge, and you are not part of those making the progress we need to see, you will be left behind,” she cautioned.
The FEMITECH conference convened women from academia, industry, and beyond to address challenges associated with gender equality and equity. Notably, three women were honored for their contributions to promoting technology: Hon. Ama Pomaa Boateng, MP for JUABEN Constituency, Ashanti Region; Madam Esther Akua Gyamfi, Executive Secretary of the National Council on Persons with Disabilities (NCPD); and Thabisile Phumo, Executive Vice President for Stakeholder Relations at Sibanye-Stillwater, South Africa.
FEMITECH, an annual event commemorating International Women’s Day, celebrates female achievements in technology while showcasing opportunities in ICT for women. Organized by the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, the conference serves as a platform for empowering women and driving inclusivity in the technology sector.
The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE) has been instrumental in the country’s digitalization efforts, having trained 50,000 personnel over the last two decades. Offering programs in Cyber Security, Data Analytics, and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), among others, GI-KACE aligns its training with Ghana’s development objectives, contributing significantly to national progress.
As a leading global center of excellence in ICT and e-Governance solutions, GI-KACE provides research, innovation, consultancy, advisory services, and human capacity building tailored to accelerate national development in the 21st century.