ICTE-UEW Hosts 2025 Girls in Tech Summit
The Department of Information and Communication Technology Education (ICTE) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) hosted the 2025 Girls in Tech Summit at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre on Wednesday, 13th August, 2025.
The summit, themed “Preparing Girls for Careers in Technology, Web3 and AI,” brought together students, academics, industry experts and entrepreneurs to inspire and empower young women to pursue careers in emerging technologies.
Ms. Esther Gyimah, senior lecturer at ICTE-UEW and a STEM advocate, described the summit as a vibrant platform to expose girls to fields such as artificial intelligence, Web3, virtual and augmented reality. She urged participants to take advantage of the networking opportunities and emphasised UEW’s pride in producing alumnae who are now industry leaders and advocates for women in technology.
Representing UEW management, Prof. (Mrs.) Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, officially opened the summit, stressing that the event marked “a significant milestone in the journey to bridge the gender gap in technology.” She highlighted how digital tools are breaking barriers for women globally and reaffirmed the Faculty of Science Education’s dedication to supporting girls through mentorship, resources and STEM-focused initiatives.
Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu urged participants to translate the day’s lessons into action, reminding them that fostering diversity in technology is essential not only for equality but also for innovation and sustainable development.
The keynote address was delivered by Paulette Watson MBE, Founder and Managing Director of Academy Achievers. Drawing on her career, she inspired participants to embrace change and resilience, likening them to eagles soaring above storms. She showcased the growing opportunities for women in fields such as digital health, renewable energy and blockchain technology, urging students to seize the time and lead Africa’s technological transformation.
Other speakers included Mrs. Maud A. Ashong Elliot, President of the Internet Society Ghana Chapter who outlined scholarships and internship opportunities available to young women in STEM across Africa and beyond. She advised participants to be intentional about their digital presence and persistent in their applications for global opportunities.
Dr. Regina Esi Turkson, a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and a STEM advocate, addressed systemic gender bias in technology under the theme “Breaking Barriers.” She identified stereotypes, lack of mentorship and workplace culture as barriers to female participation and called for equity-driven policies, mentorship networks and inclusive hiring practices to ensure women thrive in the tech industry.
The final speaker, Ms. Joycelyn Otchere, Business Intelligence Analyst and Co-Founder of Kixara AI, shared her personal journey of transitioning into the tech space. She underscored the importance of mindset in overcoming fear and self-doubt, encouraging participants to embrace curiosity, resilience and purpose-driven decisions.
The 2025 Girls in Tech Summit was organised by the Department of ICT Education in partnership with industry stakeholders and sponsors. It reflects UEW’s ongoing mission to empower the next generation of women innovators to lead in disruptive technologies and drive national and global progress.
