MTN Ghana, in partnership with Mobile Web Ghana, has organized the “MTN GirlCode Hackathon,” a program aimed at promoting digital skills among young women.
Held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), the event focused on equipping 100 girls with hands-on experience in coding, software development, and networking opportunities within the tech industry.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Technologists
Mr Ebenezer Terkpeh, the Advisor Portfolio for Education at MTN Ghana, speaking at the event emphasized MTN’s commitment to inspiring young people, especially girls, to pursue careers in technology.
According to him, MTN, being a technology company, strives to create opportunities for young girls to enhance their skills in programming and software development through events like the GirlCode Hackathon.
“This program is designed to give young women hands-on experience in coding while enhancing their technical skills. More importantly, it provides a platform for them to network with professionals in the industry,” Terkpeh said.
He also shared MTN’s broader goal of connecting participants to its MTN Skills Academy, a digital platform that offers training and career development courses, helping them transition from learning to employment.
Building a Future of Digital Empowerment
Terkpeh noted that MTN has held similar coding events in the past, but the GirlCode Hackathon is part of a larger effort to deliberately recruit young women into digital careers.
Participants will be enrolled in the MTN Skills Academy, where they will have access to courses and opportunities to connect with industry players, creating a path toward employment.
“The idea is not just for them to get training but also to help them find employment. If we are unable to absorb them within MTN, we will create other opportunities for them to thrive in the tech space,” Terkpeh added.
The two-day event will culminate in the registration of participants on the MTN Skills Academy platform, where they will continue to receive mentorship and career development support.
Empowering Girls to Solve Problems Using Technology
Florence Toffa, Director of Mobile Web Ghana, explained that the three-day Hackathon aimed to encourage girls to use technology to address real-world challenges.
The focus is on solving issues aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing a framework for participants to tackle local community problems using technology.
“We want these girls to think about the issues in their communities and how technology can be applied to solve them,” Toffa said. She also acknowledged the existing gender gap in the tech industry, pointing out that fields like coding are often male-dominated.
“Our goal is to empower young women to break into the technology space and challenge the notion that tech careers are reserved for men. We want to see more women in these roles, and we believe that events like this are crucial for bridging the gap,” Toffa added.
Encouraging Girls to Embrace Tech Careers
Toffa highlighted the importance of technology in shaping the future and urged girls to seize the opportunity to learn and apply these skills.
“Technology can change your life in an instant. With the rise of AI and other innovations, tasks that used to take days now only take hours. If you don’t get involved, you risk being left behind,” she hinted.
She advised young women to actively participate in technology programs like the GirlCode Hackathon, emphasizing that the benefits of acquiring digital skills would soon become apparent in their careers.
As MTN Ghana and Mobile Web Ghana continue their efforts to promote gender equality in the tech sector, the GirlCode Hackathon stands as a pivotal event in empowering the next generation of female tech leaders.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/newsghana.com.gh
