Information and communications technologies (ICTs) consequences of development for women in Africa: The case of Ghana

Women's role in computer education, information technology and development in general are issues of concern among educators and development professionals in the international community. In spite of countless efforts by concerned parties and international conferences to search for technological answers to development problems of developing nations, contemporary research indicate that women's role in technology in these countries is very minimal.; Following the trend set in colonial days by the introduction of literacy, the fact still remains that the acquisition of knowledge, skills and technology has been largely concentrated on the male population in most African countries. This study suggests that more could be achieved in terms of development if the effort to educate was complemented by the impartation of a holistic sense of awareness that can be fostered by the proper development and utilization of information technology and mass communication in African countries.; This study explores the problem, using the qualitative methodology. Collection of data took place in Ghana between January 15 and March 15, 2001. Sixty-eight participants grouped under five cohorts in Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast were selected for the study through purposeful and snowballing sampling. The data collection procedures included face-to-face interviewing, audiotaping of participants' responses, observation and keeping of field notes. Data analysis procedures included a combination of indigenous typologies and content analysis in the process of identifying, coding and categorizing primary patterns in the data as recommended by Patton (1990, 381, 393).; It was found out that new opportunities offered by the Information Revolution for development has eluded women and that they lag behind males in Ghana due to unequal accessibility to schools at all levels, and high dropout rate for girls. Further probing of participants generated evidence that most of them prefer females to have access to word processing and graphic arts programs that will equip them to be secretaries and graphic designers. They, however, prefer to offer men access to advanced skills that will equip them to become programmers, IT engineers and IT consultants.; The study concluded that due to society's perceptions, philosophies, values and attitudes, discrimination and access inequities occurred, mistakes were made and development goals were not achieved. Therefore the study recommended, among other issues, that in recognition of Ghanaian women's excellent performance in agriculture and commerce, deliberate policies could be formulated to increase their involvement and effectiveness in information and communications technologies, close the gender gap in general education and particularly in mathematics and science. It was also recommended that gender equality could become an integral part of all future development plans.