MTN Ghana has reaffirmed its leadership in digital inclusion with a monumental contribution of GH¢19 million to the Girls-in-ICT Programme in the Upper West Region. This programme, which seeks to empower young girls with digital skills, is part of MTN Ghana’s broader commitment to bridging the gender digital divide and enabling women to thrive in the fast-evolving digital economy.
The programme, spearheaded by MTN Ghana in partnership with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation (MoCDTI), the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), and the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), has become a key element of MTN’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. As one of the largest private sector investments in digital skills training for young girls, MTN’s support is expected to have a transformative impact on the ICT sector, particularly in underserved regions like the Upper West Region.
At the climax of the 2025 Girls-in-ICT Programme, MTN Ghana’s CEO, Stephen Blewett, emphasized the company’s commitment to gender equality and digital empowerment, underscoring the critical role of technology in transforming communities and economies. “Our investment in the Girls-in-ICT Programme is about more than just providing digital skills,” said Adadevoh. “It’s about creating the next generation of innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers who will shape Ghana’s digital future.”
This year, 1,000 girls from basic schools across the Upper West Region underwent rigorous ICT training, including website development, coding, game design, and animation creation. MTN’s funding provided laptops, certificates, and access to ICT tools to the top 100 performers, and the best-performing schools were awarded fully furnished ICT laboratories to sustain the learning experience. Additionally, the top three girls from the programme received cash prizes ranging from GH¢2,500 to GH¢3,500, as well as plaques and sponsorship packages from ADB.
Mr. Collins Agyei, Sales Manager at MTN Ghana in charge of the Northern Zone, also spoke at the event, reiterating MTN’s role as a key partner in digital inclusion. He highlighted that MTN Ghana’s work with the Girls-in-ICT Programme is central to its vision of empowering girls to succeed in the digital world. “At MTN Ghana, we believe that diversity and inclusion are not just values to aspire to, but essential drivers of innovation and progress,” Agyei stated.
The programme’s success aligns with MTN Ghana’s commitment to closing the gender gap in ICT. According to data from the International Telecommunications Union, 180 million fewer women than men are using the internet globally, and Ghana cannot afford to be left behind. This reality has prompted MTN Ghana’s ongoing support of initiatives like the Girls-in-ICT Programme, which is now expanding into remote districts in the Upper West Region, such as Wa West, Lawra, and Nandom—areas that have historically lacked adequate access to ICT education and resources.
MTN Ghana’s investment is not just about funding—it’s about ensuring that these girls are empowered with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in an increasingly digitized world. In addition to the training, the programme also offers mentorship opportunities with female tech professionals and scholarships for those who wish to pursue further studies in ICT-related fields.
The Girls-in-ICT Programme is a powerful step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on Gender Equality and SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and MTN’s active involvement is a testament to its ongoing support for national digital transformation. By providing these young girls with ICT skills, MTN is helping to pave the way for a future where they can actively contribute to Ghana’s growing digital economy.
Through its MTN Ghana Foundation, the company has also made substantial investments in ICT laboratories, digital literacy initiatives, and internet connectivity for schools across the country. These initiatives continue to play a critical role in helping Ghana become a digital hub in West Africa, and with MTN’s continued support, thousands of young girls are now poised to lead the way in Ghana’s ICT revolution.