Tech for Girls founder Johanna Swaniker calls for investment to expand digital skills programme in Ghana

Ambassador Johanna Swaniker, founder of the Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa (HACSA), has urged for greater financial and institutional backing to broaden the Tech for Girls program in Ghana. Speaking at the graduation of its fourth cohort, she emphasized that funding is the primary obstacle to scaling the initiative despite the rising demand for training in digital skills.

The program's inception dates back to her role as Ghana's Ambassador to France and UNESCO, where she launched Girls Can Code to introduce coding to younger girls by training teachers. The program has since evolved, transitioning from a rented space to a permanent training center with dedicated classrooms. However, additional investments are required to complete vital infrastructure, including a cafeteria for trainees.

Enrolment has expanded from 20 participants to 80 in the current cohort, with plans to train up to 160 women through a double-shift system if funding becomes available. Beyond coding, the initiative offers mentorship, internship opportunities, and career guidance, with several graduates already finding employment or starting their own businesses.

Ambassador Swaniker also highlighted the broader social impact of empowering women with digital skills, noting that they often become central figures in knowledge sharing within homes and communities. She stressed that digital literacy is becoming essential for participation in everyday life, urging businesses, philanthropists, and development partners to support the program's sustainability and expansion.