Nokia calls for more young women in Ghana’s growing tech space

Nokia has urged more young women to seize opportunities in Ghana's burgeoning tech sector, emphasizing the critical importance of increased female participation. This plea came during the graduation of the inaugural cohort of Plan International Ghana's Digital Skills Project, a three-year initiative aimed at equipping 360 young individuals with digital skills and real-world experience to boost their employability and entrepreneurial prospects.

Nokia's Country Human Resources Manager, Brepo Akrofi Asiedu, expressed her satisfaction with the female participation in the first cohort but lamented a decline in the second cohort. She stressed that the goal is not only to attract more girls into the tech field but to ensure they capitalize on the opportunities that come with it.

Nokia, which backed the project, stands ready to continue championing initiatives that equip young people with digital skills and prepare them to solve practical challenges. She has urged more young women to see technology as a viable career path, capable of fostering innovation and creating opportunities for themselves and others.

The call resonates as some women from the first cohort are already showcasing what can be achieved with the right guidance. One such project, AMBU, an emergency response application developed by a team including three women, allows users to seek emergency assistance with a single tap, using AI to provide pertinent information to emergency responders.

One of the team members, Susan, joined the program to challenge the notion that IT is male-dominated. She highlighted that the program has expanded her knowledge in programming languages, systems, APIs, and databases, while enabling her to work on a solution addressing health sector needs. Susan emphasized that IT is for everyone, regardless of gender, and that they are determined to break barriers.

Nokia views the project as a testament to the significance of providing young people with practical experience and turning their knowledge into tangible solutions. Looking ahead, Nokia expressed its commitment to supporting the ongoing growth and impact of the Digital Skills Project, which is expected to run until 2027, while encouraging more young women to leverage the available opportunities.