Ama Adorkor Edjah
Acting Chief Finance Officer of AT (formerly AirtelTigo) Ama Adorkor Edjah, has made a call for the inclusion of more girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the tender age.
According to her, this helps to give them outmost exposure and goes a long way to have a profound impact on their career.
Participating in a panel discussion at this year’s the Females In Tech Conference (FEMITECH) themed, ‘Empowering the Next Generation: How Families Can Support Girls in Tech,’ she recalled how her father’s enthusiasm for technology shaped her and her siblings’ curiosity and confidence in ICT.
“My dad was very intentional about us learning ICT… This early exposure built my confidence in technology and set the foundation for my career,” she said.
She further highlighted the critical role families must play in fostering an early interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), stressing on the need for regular mentorship.
This, she believes when combined with parental encouragement, creates a strong support system that enables young girls to explore careers in ICT.
Delivering a keynote address at the event, Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel George, underscored the need for organisations to prioritise diversity in hiring practices, mentorship, and sponsorship to ensure the advancement of women in technology.
He emphasised that companies with strong mentorship programmes see higher numbers of women progressing into leadership roles and stressed the importance of creating inclusive work environments that support work-life balance and mental well-being.
The conference also saw participation from other notable industry leaders, including Prof. Elsie E. Kaufmann, Dr. Lucy Agyepong, and Dr. G. Ayorkor Korsah who reiterated the importance of investment in digital education, mentorship, and policy support to bridge the gender gap in ICT.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak