The Department of Gender under the auspices of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) and the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection in partnership with UNFPA Ghana, STAR-Ghana Foundation, Genius IT Foundation, ActionAid Ghana and Amenuveve Sorgbor Company Limited commemorated the 2023 International Women’s Day with a TECH FORUM AND FAIR.

The commemoration took place on Wednesday, 8th March 2023 at OLA Girls’ Senior High School in Ho and was graced by the Hon. Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa who was the Special Guest of Honour. Mamaga Toleyyifoe V (Rita Akasreku), President of the Volta Regional Queen Mothers Association was the Chairperson for the day, as well as Dr. Ernestina Tetteh, the Head of Projects – STAR-Ghana Foundation. The rest were Mr. Faisal Bawa, the National Programme Analyst, GBV-UNFPA; Mrs. Awo Aidam Amenyah, Executive Director of Child Online Africa; Mr. Desmond Kitsi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Genius IT Foundation; and Hon. Emilia E. Adzimah, the District Chief Executive for Agotime Ziope District Assembly.

The Forum was preceded by a four-week intensive digital literacy programme for over 47 women and girls in the Ho Municipality.

The celebration saw presentations by a Guest and Co-Speakers, Project Presentations and the Award of Certificates to Beneficiaries of the Digital Literacy Skills Training Programme and the Exhibition of Innovative and Technological Goods and Services.

In line with the theme for the celebration, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”, two presentations were made. A Guest Speaker, Mrs. Awo Aidam Amenyah who is the Executive Director of Child Online Africa made a presentation on the topic, “Digitization and cyber security: The prospects and challenges for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”. Mr. Desmond Kitsi, CEO of Genius IT Foundation who was a Co-Speaker made the second presentation on the topic, “Digital Literacy and Women Empowerment”.

The Special Guest of Honour and Hon. Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, in his Keynote Address expressed his delight about being part of the celebration, and called for concerted effort from all stakeholders in order to bridge the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

He expressed appreciation to the partners of the Regional Department of Gender and called on all stakeholders to support women empowerment.

Furthermore, he entreated all women to embrace the opportunities provided in the Digital Space for the development of the Region.

Dr. Letsa concluded by congratulating all gallant women of Ghana and importantly the Region for their contributions to society, while calling on everyone to embrace “Equity” as indicated by the  campaign message of the celebration.

The Celebration had also the participation of Heads of Department and Institution, some queen mothers, various Women Groups across the Region, school children and some Digital and Corporate Institutions.