Karpowership Ghana Limited is stepping up efforts to bridge the gender gap in engineering and technology by providing mentorship to female engineering students at the University of Ghana as part of activities marking International Women’s Day.
The independent power-producing company says the initiative is aimed at addressing male domination in the engineering and energy sectors by equipping young women with mentorship and career development opportunities.
The programme, organised in partnership with the University of Ghana’s School of Engineering Sciences, was held on Thursday, March 5, at the ISSER Conference Hall in Legon. It brought together female students, industry professionals and policy leaders for mentorship and career training.
Communications Manager for Karpowership Ghana, Sandra Amarquaye, revealed that the company has introduced several initiatives to support women pursuing engineering careers, including scholarships and an all-female internship programme.
“We have scholarship packages for these ladies and we are also backing an all-female internship project which started last year. The reason we are doing this is to increase women’s representation in the energy sector,” she said.
Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, noted that although progress has been made globally, women remain significantly under-represented in engineering and technology professions.
“Globally, women account for about 33% of researchers. In the technology workforce, women make up about 28%, and in engineering, the gap widens, with only about 15% of roles held by women,” she said.
She added that in Ghana, labour statistics from the Ghana Statistical Service show that women make up about 25% of workers in technical and engineering-related occupations.
Meanwhile, Ayawaso West Wuogon Member of Parliament John Dumelo urged society to support women pursuing careers in engineering and other professional fields.
“We should encourage more women in engineering. As men, we should support our women to become engineers, lawyers, politicians and anything they want to become,” he said.
He also pledged his continued support for initiatives that empower female students.
“I am proud of the engineering students here and I will always support you. Whenever you organise such programmes, invite me and I will be there,” he assured.
Organisers say initiatives like this are critical to building confidence among young women in STEM and preparing them to take up leadership roles in Ghana’s energy and technology sectors.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com