By Braimah Abdul Majeed


Seventeen young women have graduated from a mobile phone repair training programme aimed at increasing female participation in the technology and technical skills sector in Northern Ghana.

The training, organized by Girls to Women Foundation with funding support from EMPOWER and in collaboration with the Northern Mobile Phone Repairers Association, sought to equip women with practical skills in mobile phone repairs and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Executive Director of Girls to Women Foundation, Hajia Mariam Iddrisu Bugala, noted that the programme was designed to challenge stereotypes that often discourage women from pursuing careers in technical fields.

According to her, mobile phone repair remains one of the professions largely dominated by men due to societal perceptions that women lack the capacity to excel in such trades. She stressed the need to create opportunities that empower women economically while ensuring their safety and dignity within the workplace.

Hajia Bugala further revealed that the foundation has put in place measures to protect the graduates from possible workplace harassment and discrimination as they begin their careers in the industry.

A trainer with the programme, Abdul Somed Abdul Rashid, said many people initially doubted the ability of women to master the technical skills required for phone repairs.

However, he indicated that the trainees demonstrated exceptional commitment and determination throughout the training period, proving such assumptions wrong.

He expressed confidence that the graduates would make meaningful contributions to the mobile phone repair industry and serve as role models for other young women interested in technical professions.

One of the graduates, Abdul Rahaman Rashida, recounted the challenges she faced during the training. She said some members of society discouraged her from pursuing the profession because of the perception that it is a man’s job.

Despite the challenges, she remained focused and successfully completed the programme. She encouraged other young women to pursue their ambitions regardless of societal barriers and stereotypes.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment and bridge the gender gap in technical and vocational careers across Northern Ghana.