Accra: The Head of Technology and Service Management at Absa Bank Ghana, Ms. Anita Twum-Ampofo, has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering young women to pursue careers in technology through continued support for the Girl Code Hackathon initiative. Speaking during the 2025 edition of the hackathon held in Accra, Ms. Twum-Ampofo said Absa Bank’s sponsorship aligns with its Ready-to-Work platform, which equips youth and the public with employable skills and career readiness training.
According to Ghana News Agency, the bank’s partnership with MTN Ghana Foundation on the hackathon aims to expand opportunities for women in technology and address the persistent ‘leaky pipeline’ problem where many women drop out of technology-related studies and careers, leaving the field dominated by men. ‘Supporting the Girl Code Hackathon is part of our commitment to closing the gender gap in technology. We want to encourage more women to take up tech careers, expand the talent pool, and contribute to solving society’s problems through innovation,’ she said.
Ms. Twum-Ampofo expressed her admiration for the creativity and problem-solving abilities displayed by the participants, most of whom were students from tertiary institutions across Ghana. ‘It’s been phenomenal. The ideas these young ladies have developed are amazing. Supporting them is not out of place but it is a worthy cause that will expand the number of employable women in Ghana’s technology ecosystem and beyond,’ she added.
She highlighted that Absa Bank is keen to continue investing in digital education and women-led innovation as part of its long-term goal to build a digitally skilled workforce. On Ghana’s growing interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ms. Twum-Ampofo noted the country’s promising stage of understanding and implementing AI solutions. ‘There’s always a starting point. Ghana is at the stage of figuring out how best to apply AI, but we’re on a good path,’ she stated.
While specific figures on Absa’s financial investment in AI training were not disclosed, she emphasized the bank’s consistent sponsorship of women-in-tech programmes as a demonstration of its long-term commitment. ‘Our investment is ongoing. The drive to encourage women into technology is in itself a signal of how far Absa is willing to go,’ she explained.
Ms. Twum-Ampofo described the hackathon as more than just a coding competition; it is an empowerment platform that helps young women identify societal challenges, develop digital solutions, and prepare for future job markets. ‘This initiative is about empowerment. We’re helping the girl child explore her potential in fintech, cybersecurity, and coding. It’s about preparing them for the future so that by the time they finish school, they are marketable and employable,’ she said.
Some of the solutions developed during the hackathon could be adopted by organisations such as Absa Bank and MTN Ghana to address real-world challenges in finance, education, and community development. Ms. Twum-Ampofo emphasized that the event was not just a competition but a collective step towards gender inclusion in technology. ‘We don’t see this as just a contest. Every participant here is a winner because they are building confidence, creativity, and a future for women in technology,’ she concluded.
The annual Girl Code Hackathon, organised by MTN Ghana Foundation and supported by Absa Bank Ghana, provides hands-on mentorship, exposure, and a platform for young women to innovate and showcase technology-driven ideas that address social and economic issues.