At a brightly lit innovation hub in Accra, a hundred young women huddled around laptops, sketching wireframes, testing prototypes, and debating code. The atmosphere buzzed with energy and purpose, a clear signal that Ghana’s young women are not waiting to be invited into the technology space; they are claiming it.
The scene was part of a women-in-tech hackathon organised by MTN Ghana Foundation in collaboration with Absa Bank Ghana, under the theme “Future-Proofing Africa: Innovation at the Intersection of Fintech, Cybersecurity, and AI.”
For many of the participants, this was more than a coding competition,it was a confidence-building journey into a field long dominated by men.
“Technology doesn’t have to be complicated to change lives,” said Mrs Anita Twum-Ampofo, Head of Technology and Service Management at Absa Bank Ghana. “Even simple innovations like using SMS to send money can make a massive impact when designed for real people in real communities.”
Her words resonated deeply with the young women, many of whom came from tertiary institutions across Ghana, eager to prove that with the right support, women can lead the country’s digital future.
“We are looking for technologies that solve problems, not just to impress judges but to improve lives,” Mrs Twum-Ampofo said, urging participants to focus on usefulness, creativity, and long-term impact.
Bridging the Gender Divide
According to Mr Robert Kuzoe, Senior Manager of the MTN Ghana Foundation, the hackathon is part of the foundation’s annual effort to bridge the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“We do this every year, gathering a hundred girls from tertiary institutions and challenging them to build solutions that address social and business problems,” he explained. “It’s about giving them exposure, soft skills, and confidence to compete in a male-dominated tech space.”
The event encourages teamwork, leadership, and creative thinking, qualities that are often overlooked in conventional academic environments.
“Our goal is not just to train coders,” Mr Kuzoe added, “but to nurture problem solvers who can use technology to make Ghana better and build sustainable livelihoods for themselves.”
Building Legacies, Not Just Code
For Mr David Narh, MTN Ghana’s Manager for Digital Growth, empowering women in technology is central to Africa’s digital transformation.
“Africa has the fastest-growing young population in the world,” he said. “But as we digitize our economies, we must secure them and ensure inclusion. Every woman trained today represents a more resilient digital Africa tomorrow.”
He described the hackathon as “a call to lead, to protect, and to transform,” reminding participants that cybersecurity and ethical AI are no longer optional in innovation.
“Fintech is not just about mobile wallets, it’s about access,” Mr Narh said. “It’s about the market woman in Tamale, the student in Lusaka, the fisherfolk in Ada, and the farmer in Kisumu. Technology must speak their language and protect their data.”
Inspiring a New Generation
For many of the young women, the hackathon offered something even more powerful than a coding challenge, a sense of belonging.
“It’s the first time I’ve been in a room full of women coding together,” said a computer science student from the University of Ghana. “Usually, we are just two or three girls in a class of 30 boys. This event gives me confidence that I can succeed in tech.”
Another participant from KNUST said the experience opened her eyes to career possibilities in cybersecurity and AI that she had never considered before.
The hackathon ended with the presentation of innovative prototypes ranging from digital payment tools for small traders to AI-powered learning aids for rural students. The winning team will receive mentorship and funding support to develop their ideas further.
Breaking the Code Ceiling
As the laptops power down and participants exchange hugs and contacts, one thing is clear; Ghana’s women in technology are no longer standing on the sidelines. They are coding, creating, and redefining what innovation looks like.
“This is the start of something bigger,” said Mr Kuzoe. “We want to see more women not just joining the tech conversation, but leading it.”
