60 Scholars Graduate from the Tech4Girls Academy Project

The Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa (HACSA) Foundation has unveiled its latest initiative, the Tech4Girls Academy project, designed to broaden access to digital skills education for young girls. This initiative is focused on offering free training in coding and artificial intelligence, with the ultimate goal of empowering more girls, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds, to thrive in the digital landscape. The foundation’s ambitious plan aims to provide them with the skills and confidence needed to excel in the tech sector, thereby fostering gender equality in fields traditionally dominated by men.

At the heart of the Tech4Girls Academy project is the establishment of a permanent facility dedicated to providing high-quality digital training to young women. This academy will serve as a training hub for a variety of digital skills, including coding and artificial intelligence, while also emphasizing leadership development. The space is designed to not only equip trainees with the technical expertise needed to succeed in the digital world, but also to nurture their personal growth and leadership potential. By doing so, the project aims to empower young women to pursue careers in technology and related fields, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and diverse workforce in the tech industry.

The academy will also focus on providing hands-on learning opportunities, ensuring that students are not only learning theory but are also gaining practical experience. Mentorship and career development will be integral components of the program, as trainees will have access to guidance from industry professionals and experts. These connections will help them build their networks, gain insights into potential career paths, and develop the confidence needed to pursue their goals. Additionally, the academy will offer work experience opportunities, allowing students to work on real-world projects and further hone their skills.

Beyond its role as a training center, the Tech4Girls Academy is envisioned as a creative and innovation hub for the local community. It will foster collaboration and provide a space where both students and community members can come together to share ideas, solve problems, and create innovative solutions. The academy aims to become a key resource for the community, helping to bridge the gap between education and employment in the tech sector while empowering young women to take charge of their futures.

The launch of the Tech4Girls Academy project coincided with the graduation ceremony of the third cohort of 60 students from the Tech4Girls programme. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the foundation, as it continues to expand its efforts to provide free digital training to girls across the country. With 120 students having graduated so far, the programme is already making a tangible impact, equipping young women with the skills necessary to pursue careers in the rapidly growing tech industry.

To ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the academy, the HACSA Foundation has also launched a fundraising campaign. This campaign invites donors, philanthropists, and corporate sponsors to contribute to the establishment of the academy and its ongoing operations. By securing financial support, the foundation aims to create a sustainable model that will continue to provide valuable digital education to girls for years to come. The foundation has set a target of enrolling 250 students in 2025, with plans to expand further in the future.

The Tech4Girls programme is an essential part of HACSA’s broader mission to empower women through education and training. In her welcome address at the event, Ambassador Johanna Svanikier, Founder and President of HACSA Foundation, emphasized the importance of empowering young women with coding and digital skills to help them secure better job opportunities and to reduce the gender gap in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). By equipping young women with these essential skills, the foundation hopes to foster gender equality and create more opportunities for women to succeed in the tech industry.

In his keynote address, Charles Abani, the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, praised the initiative and highlighted its potential to help bridge the digital divide. He noted that the Tech4Girls Academy project aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. He emphasized that such initiatives are crucial for promoting women’s participation in the digital economy, which in turn contributes to broader goals related to job creation, social protection, and economic growth.

The Tech4Girls Academy project represents a major step forward in the fight for gender equality in the tech sector. By providing young women with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed, HACSA is helping to shape a future where women are equally represented in the digital workforce. Through this initiative, the foundation is not only empowering individual girls, but also contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and innovative digital economy for all.