By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, Mar. 7, GNA – Huawei Technologies, a chinese multinational technology company, is to provide free artificial intelligence (AI) training for girls nationwide under the Government’s Information Communication Technology for Girls Programme.
The initiative follows discussions at the ongoing Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, where Ghana engaged the technology company on expanding digital skills development.
Mr Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, said he secured the multi-million-dollar commitment from Huawei during a meeting with Mr Steven Yi, Senior Vice President of Huawei.
He said the company also expressed interest in Ghana’s technology ecosystem, particularly the proposed US$250 million AI Computer Centre, rural telephony expansion and the rollout of 5G technology.
Mr Nartey George explained that after Huawei showed interest in rural telephony, he insisted the company should support the country through free AI training under the ICT for Girls Programme, which it agreed to provide.
Currently, the Girls in ICT Programme offers modules in coding, animation (Scratch) and basic computing skills during a two-week training period.
The Minister said Huawei’s participation would introduce a crash programme in AI skills.
He said the development was important because beneficiaries could immediately transition to the One Million Coders Programme for further training, adding that this meant “we are catching them young.”
Mr George said the Huawei Senior Vice President had instructed the Huawei Ghana office to collaborate with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and the Ministry to deliver AI training for the 3,000 girls participating in this year’s Girls in ICT Programme.
He said discussions were also held with Huawei on the possibility of establishing a handheld device assembly plant in Ghana to produce affordable smart devices for the local market and neighbouring countries.
Mr George said the proposal aligned with an initiative by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) and seven partner original equipment manufacturers, including Huawei, as well as six leading African telecommunications companies, to supply US$40 smart handheld devices across Africa.
The initiative will first be piloted in six countries before expanding across the continent.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
