Education
Source: Biztech Africa
Over 300 girls in the Upper West region of Ghana will be receiving hands-on education on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), thanks to the Soronko Solutions Road show known as the Tech Needs Girls programme, a mentorship programme in which girls between the ages of 6-18 are mentored to be innovative by learning to code or create technology.
Although the penetration of smartphones which make technology more accessible to users in Ghana is at a record high, little can be said about its impact on the lives of its users, especially in the three northern regions where many girls are deprived of even basic education.
This unfortunate development has led many girls to fall prey to nefarious activities carried out by unscrupulous people.
Last year, about 66 women, including young girls in the northern regional capital Tamale, fell victim to a sex tape scandal, according to the Executive Chief Officer and Founder of Soronko Solutions, Regina Agyare, who said the ladies were aware they were being recorded but did not understand the consequences of their actions. Some had no idea. “They did not understand what it means to have a digital profile,” she said.
“I believe in connecting the unconnected and making sure more women and girls benefit from understanding how to use technology and create it, I want to reach out to more women and girls across Ghana. I also think it is important that we educate the girls not to join this nude selfies and sex tapes things happening in Ghana,” she to Biztechafrica.
Regina on her facebook status revealed that UDS, WA campus had some of their girls in the scandal prompting the Women's Commissioner of UDS to take action by ensuring that the women and girls in UDS and the Upper West become Tech Savvy and understand what it means to have a digital profile.
She told Biztechafrica that as part of their Road Show women and girls in the Upper West will be taught about technology, how to create it, use it positively, and what it means to have a digital profile.