The Aya Institute, a research and training organisation, has praised Ghana’s advances in telecommunications but emphasized the urgent need for greater gender responsiveness to foster deeper transformation in the industry.
While Ghana’s leadership and infrastructure have positioned the country as a leading telecommunications hub in Africa, the Institute warns that persistent gender gaps in digital access threaten inclusive growth.
Referencing the 2024 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) report, the Institute highlighted that globally, 70 percent of men use the internet compared to 65 percent of women, with the disparity even more pronounced in least developed countries like Ghana.
In these regions, only 29 percent of women access the internet versus 41 percent of men, exacerbated further by socio-economic factors.
The Aya Institute called on the government to intensify gender-focused initiatives such as the Girls in ICT programme, aiming to equip young girls with digital skills to bridge this divide. It also urged increased efforts to ensure affordable and expanded digital access, accompanied by training tailored for women and girls.
Additionally, the Institute stressed the importance of a safe digital environment, urging stronger cybersecurity measures and protections against cyberbullying and harmful online content, especially for minors. It called for collaborative action among the Ministry of Communication, National Cybersecurity Authority, and other stakeholders to create a more inclusive and secure telecom ecosystem.
The Institute concluded that closing the digital gender gap through targeted, gender-sensitive policies is vital to unlocking economic opportunities for women and girls and advancing Ghana’s Sustainable Development Goals.
