The Ministry of Communication and Digitisation yesterday hosted the grand finale of the Ms. Geek Ghana 2024 competition, an ICT-driven initiative designed to encourage young girls to pursue careers in technology and promote innovation in the country.

The competition, aimed at inspiring more girls to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), seeks to empower them to contribute meaningfully to addressing the nation’s challenges.

In an inspiring address, the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, underscored the importance of gender equality in the tech industry.

She commended the young female innovators participating in the competition, highlighting the event’s role as a powerful platform for empowering women in technology.

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting young women in the tech industry, noting that the Ms. Geek Ghana competition has evolved into a movement that enables women to use innovation to tackle socio-economic challenges.

This year’s competition received 66 applications from girls aged 13 to 21, demonstrating a growing interest in technology among young Ghanaian women.

After a thorough selection process, 10 finalists were chosen to present their innovative projects, which ranged from e-waste management to healthcare solutions.

Among the standout projects were Richardson Elorm’s "E-Waste Evolution," Leticia Makafui Ahiamadzi’s environmental risk management system, and Hannibel Opokuwaa Nyarko’s "MumCare Connect," a mobile app focused on maternal and child health.

The Minister praised the finalists for their dedication and creativity, encouraging them to continue pushing the boundaries of technology.

She also emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to create a future where gender is no barrier in the tech industry.

Ms Bottozah Biana Bubune emerged as the winner of the competition, earning a cash prize of GHS 10,000 and a fully funded trip to represent Ghana at the Ms. Geek Africa contest in 2025.

This prestigious opportunity will allow her to showcase her project on a continental stage, competing with other talented innovators from across Africa.

The event concluded on a high note, with the young innovators eager to make a lasting impact on Ghana’s technology landscape, inspired by the success of previous winners like Sellasie Domi-Kuwonu, the reigning Ms. Geek Africa.

In her closing remarks, Bottozah Biana Bubune expressed her gratitude to the Minister, the Ministry, and her fellow contestants. She also expressed confidence in her ability to win the international competition, reflecting the spirit of empowerment and determination that the Ms. Geek Ghana competition aims to foster.