The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) has announced plans to train 500 girls in coding in 2027 under the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI), following the successful pilot phase which trained 150 girls across the Ashanti, Bono East and Northern Regions. The announcement was made by the Administrator of GIFEC, Mr. Tanko Rashid-Computer at the national climax of the AGCCI programme held in Kumasi on Friday, October 2, 2026.

Implemented in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), AGCCI equips girls aged 14 and above with coding, digital literacy, leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship skills, with the broader objective of increasing female participation in STEM and bridging the digital gender gap.

The Administrator said the lessons from the pilot would provide a foundation for expanding the initiative to reach more girls nationwide. He noted that the 2027 target of 500 beneficiaries reflects GIFEC’s commitment to strengthening digital inclusion and preparing young women to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. Mr. Rashid-Computer urged the girls to use social media responsibly and purposefully to showcase their skills, promote their innovations and create opportunities, rather than using the platforms solely for entertainment. He encouraged them to leverage social media for learning, networking, entrepreneurship and personal development.

The climax was attended by the Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, the Municipal Chief Executive for Kwadaso and a representative of the Ashanti Regional Minister. In their remarks, the dignitaries encouraged the girls to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to improve their lives and positively impact their peers and communities.

The 2026 pilot was supported by 22 GIFEC facilitators who received Training of Trainers from ITU, in collaboration with Qualcomm, in June 2026.

Key Discussion Points

• Expansion of AGCCI:GIFEC plans to scale up coding training to 500 girls in 2027 after a successful pilot with 150 participants.
• Partnerships: The initiative is implemented with ITU and supported by Qualcomm, ensuring global expertise and resources.
• Skills Development: Training covers coding, digital literacy, leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship to boost female participation in STEM.
• Responsible Digital Use: Administrator Tanko Rashid-Computer urged girls to leverage social media for learning, networking, and entrepreneurship rather than just entertainment.
• Community Impact: Dignitaries encouraged participants to apply their skills to uplift peers and communities, reinforcing digital inclusion nationwide.