It was a day marked not only by the celebration of International Women and Girls in Science Day but also by a tangible shift in the narrative around girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in Ghana. As I entered Accra High School, the energy was contagious, with young girls buzzing around, their minds brimming with ideas and innovations. This wasn’t just another school day. It was the day Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC decided to change the trend with a hackathon aimed at inspiring these young minds towards a future they can shape.
Empowering the Next Generation
The theme, “Women and girls in science leadership, a new era for sustainability,” was not just a slogan, but a mission statement for the day. The event was part of Standard Chartered’s Futuremakers initiative, focused on equipping disadvantaged young people, particularly girls, with the skills needed to thrive in STEM fields. The morning began with an interactive session led by female professionals from Standard Chartered who shared not only their knowledge but their journeys, emphasizing time management and setting the goal. It was a mentoring experience designed to ignite a spark in these young girls, showing them that a career in STEM was not only possible but desirable.
The challenge of the hackathon was simple yet profound—develop digital solutions to manage the wallet. However, the simplicity of the work belied its importance. It was more than just building apps. it was about solving real-life problems through technology, a skill critical in today’s digital world. Teams from Accra High School and Lampone High School put their heads together, coding and creating under the guidance of mentors. The competition was tough, but it was Labone Senior High School that took the crown with their innovative mobile apps, Spend Le$$, and Digital Susu Box (DBS). Their victory was a testament to the power of teamwork, creativity and the relentless pursuit of solutions that can make everyday life better.
A step towards equality
The significance of the day went beyond the confines of Accra High School. This hackathon was a statement, a beacon of hope for countless girls across Ghana and beyond. It was proof that with the right opportunities and encouragement, girls can excel in STEM and lead the way to a more sustainable future. The victory of Labone Senior High School, who won a 43-inch Smart TV for their school’s ICT lab, was a victory not only for the school but also for the wider movement towards gender equality in STEM. She highlighted the importance of initiatives such as Futuremakers, which strive to remove the barriers girls face in accessing science and technology education.
As the day ended, I couldn’t help but feel optimistic about the future of STEM in Ghana and the role women and girls will play in it. The hackathon may have ended, but the journey to breaking barriers and blazing a new path in science and technology for girls in Ghana has just begun.