She said exposing girls in the home to little technologies especially around Information Technology and Communication (ICT) generates the interest and goes a long way to create a profound impact on their careers later in life.
Speaking at this year’s FEMITECH Conference on the theme “Empowering the next generation: How families can support Girls in Tech” she recalled how her upbringing exposed and shaped her interest in ICT.
“My dad was very intentional about us learning ICT during our childhood, he made sure we practiced Mavis Beacon typing skills, and it became a competition among my siblings and me” she stated.
That exposure, she said set the foundation of her career and emphasized the role of parents and families in fostering the interest in STEM, adding that, combined with mentorship would create a strong support system which would enable young girls to explore careers in that area.
The Females in Tech (FEMITECH) conference is an annual event held in celebration of the International Women’s Day, bringing together industry leaders, policy makers and aspiring young women to discuss evolving role of women in Technology.
Mr Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, underscored the need for organizations to prioritize diversity in hiring practices, mentorship, and sponsorship to ensure the advancement of women in technology.
He noted that companies with strong mentorship programs turned out higher numbers of women progressing into leadership roles and stressed the importance of creating inclusive work environments that support work-life balance and mental well-being.
The conference sought to promote gender equality by inspiring, empowering, and mobilizing women in technology to advocate for equity and drive innovation as well as serve as a platform to cultivate future female leaders in technology.
Other notable industry leaders, including Prof. Elsie E. Kaufmann, Ing. Dr. Lucy Agyapong, and Dr. G. Ayorkor Korsah, also reiterated the need for nvesting in digital education, mentorship, and policy support to bridge the gender gap in ICT.
This year’s event featured insightful presentations on robotics as a gateway to creativity and innovation, cybersecurity, and ICT in the energy sector.
GNA
