Sustained funding key to boosting women’s participation in tech – Johanna Odonkor Svanikier

Former Ghanaian Ambassador to France and CEO of the Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa (HACSA), Johanna Odonkor Svanikier, has called for increased and sustained investment from both the private sector and government to accelerate women’s participation in technology.

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 HACSA Sankofa Summit in Accra, Ambassador Svanikier emphasized the urgent need to close the gender gap in technology by providing women, especially young girls, with the tools, training, and infrastructure needed to thrive in the digital age.

“Empowering Africa’s youth is not just an investment in our future, it is a necessity for the present. By equipping young people, especially girls, with cutting-edge digital and life skills, we are building a generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers who can shape a prosperous and inclusive Africa.,” she said.

The launch also included plans for an Innovation and Heritage Hub to be established in Accra. The hub is expected to become a central space for youth training, creativity, and entrepreneurial development, further reinforcing HACSA’s commitment to skills development and job creation.

According to Cybersecurity Ventures, only 11% of cybersecurity professionals globally are women. In Ghana, women make up 17.57% of the tech workforce, mainly in sectors like manufacturing, mining, and public utilities. Despite this progress, women’s representation in highly technical areas in tech remains alarmingly low.

Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice President, Alex Segbefia, also present at the event reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to digital opportunities.

By 2050, Africa will be home to 2.4 billion people, most of them young.

Industry experts caution that failing to address gender disparities in tech could cost the continent valuable human capital and innovation potential. Equal access to digital training and employment is seen as a crucial step toward inclusive economic growth and achieving SDG 5: Gender Equality.

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