TechGirls program – Martha's Graduation

From curiosity to cybersecurity expert and role model

February 17, 2026

Since 2019, Danoffice IT has supported Martha’s journey from her first steps into IT to graduating with a master’s degree in Cybersecurity in 2025. In 2019, Danoffice IT chose to support the Peace Innovation Foundation through the TechGirls program. Today, Martha has graduated her masters in computer science specializing in Cybersecurity. This article tells her story towards that.

A unique initiative designed to empower talented young women from less privileged backgrounds to become the next generation of tech leaders. Unlike traditional scholarship programs, TechGirls not only covers tuition, room, and board but also creates opportunities for leadership and entrepreneurship.

One of the young women whose life was transformed by this program is Martha Annan from Ghana. At the time, Martha had no experience with technology, but she had curiosity and a dream to make a difference. That opportunity marked the beginning of a journey that would change her life forever.

A spark was lit towards it

Martha remembers clearly, how her interest in IT began: “I was excited about how, with this technology, you could move in different areas, different fields. You could explore so many possibilities. I wanted to know more, and what can I do in this field? How can I grow in this field? Even though I didn’t have any experience at all, I thought: if I’m given the opportunity, this is something I want to do. That was the moment I realized I wanted to study IT. It was just a desire that grew stronger every day.” Says Martha.

That spark turned into determination when she received a scholarship to pursue higher education. But the road ahead was not without challenges.

Breaking barriers and inspiring others

When Martha started her studies, she quickly realized that women were underrepresented in IT classes: “When I got the opportunity to go to university, I noticed there were very few females in my class. Most were males. And one thing I kept hearing was that IT is a difficult field, that it takes time, and maybe I wouldn’t be able to complete it.” Martha recalls with determination. People suggested that Martha should try something else. But she said no. She wants to succeed, so that other females could see that it is possible. “I wanted to be able to tell them: yes, it’s challenging, but you can do it. I did it, so you can too. That thought inspired me to keep going and still inspires me today.” She added.

Challenges and Triumphs

One of Martha’s biggest challenges was starting from scratch: “Before I ventured into technology, I had little or no experience. I didn’t even know how to use a computer properly. When I got my first laptop, I had to learn everything. Like how to turn it on, how to navigate, how to work around it. It was overwhelming at first. But by God’s grace, I learned quickly. Soon, I was able to use it naturally, and that was such a happy experience for me because this was something I had no experience in. It was a challenge, but later it became exciting because now I knew my way around it. Everything just fell into place, and I felt like: yes, this is what I want to do. I’m where I want to be.” Martha recalls.

Her Vision for the Future

Today, Martha has completed her master’s degree in computer science, specializing in Cybersecurity, and she has big plans for the future: “I see myself contributing to making Ghana’s digital space safer as the country moves toward digitization. I also see myself empowering other people, especially women, to venture into IT and believe that all things are possible. For now, one thing I’m passionate about is developing something in local languages to educate people about the risks of mobile banking because scams are on the rise. Many people fall prey to these scams simply because they don’t understand the warnings in foreign languages. If I can create something localized, something they can relate to, it will help them stay safe in a digital world.” Martha says.

The Role of Danoffice IT

Martha is clear about the impact of the support she received: “If I say it in my own words, I really did not expect to move this fast. I didn’t expect to get a tertiary education so quickly. When I got the opportunity, I was like wow! I wasn’t expecting it at all. Danoffice IT and the foundation didn’t just give me an education; it helped me build a career. Now I have the certificates, I can get a stable job, and I can advance, not just in my career but in life. She says and continues: “I can inspire others and share what I’ve learned. Sometimes younger people from church or my community approach me for advice, and I tell them: yes, you can do this. I even teach them what I know. It’s making an impact, not just on me but on the people around me. I’m just so grateful for this opportunity.” Martha says with great gratitude.

Closing

At Danoffice IT, we are proud to have supported Martha throughout her journey. From a curious young woman with no experience, to a cybersecurity expert with ambitions to make a difference. Her story is proof that access to education and targeted support can transform lives and create the tech leaders of tomorrow.