{
  "id": 12444996,
  "title": "150 women empowered with digital skills under African Girls Can Code Initiative, GIFEC targets 500 next year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/150-women-empowered-with-digital-skills-under-african-girls-can-code",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T18:56:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/150-women-empowered-with-digital-skills-under-african-girls-can-code-initiative-gifec-targets-500-next-year/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Ghana, 150 women from the Ashanti, Central, and Western Regions have recently completed the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI), according to wire material. The program, a collaboration between the Government of Ghana and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), aims to close the digital gender gap by equipping women with the necessary digital and coding skills. At a graduation and certification ceremony in Kumasi, the participants showcased their projects, ranging from fashion designs to catering services, illustrating the practical applications of their new skills.\n\nThe AGCCI is part of Ghana's ongoing efforts to promote digital inclusion, following programs such as Girls-in-ICT, which targets younger girls in basic schools. However, the initiative specifically targets adult women already active in the informal sector and tertiary institutions, who lack digital skills to advance their work. Training includes computer programming, data analytics, cybersecurity, graphic design, website development, and digital marketing and e-commerce.\n\nMr. Sofo Tanko Rashid, the Administrator of GIFEC, explained the shift from the Girls-in-ICT program to focus on women already engaged in vocational activities, entrepreneurship, and tertiary education. He emphasized the program's goal to provide immediately applicable skills for business growth, employability, and career advancement.\n\nThe beneficiaries expressed that the training has been life-changing, enabling them to independently design logos, create business websites, run advertisements, and manage customer orders and payments using digital tools. Several women highlighted that technology is no longer exclusive to men and that the program has empowered them to take control of their businesses.\n\nParticipants urged the government and the Ministry of Education to integrate the AGCCI into the formal curriculum for vocational and technical institutions and to make it an annual event. This would provide more women, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, with ongoing opportunities to acquire digital skills.\n\nActing Municipal Education Director Mr. Henaku Budu applauded the initiative, emphasizing that digital skills are now as essential as reading and writing. He urged the beneficiaries to become digital ambassadors in their communities, mentoring and training other women and girls in digital literacy. The AGCCI is part of a broader effort by Ghana's Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations and GIFEC to promote digital inclusion, particularly for women in an increasingly digital economy. Plans are underway to scale the initiative to benefit 500 women next year.",
  "summary": "In a major boost for women’s participation in Ghana’s digital economy, 150 women from the Ashanti, Central and Western Regions have successfully acquired digital and coding skills under the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI). The transformative initiative, a collaboration between the Government of Ghana and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is designed to bridge […]",
  "key_points": [
    "150 women in Ghana completed African Girls Can Code Initiative.",
    "Initiative targets 500 women next year, scaling efforts.",
    "Skills include programming, data analytics, cybersecurity."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}