The National Women’s Committee of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), in collaboration with the University of Mines and Technology, has engaged members of the Girls in Science and Technology (GIST) foundation as part of efforts to mentor and inspire young women pursuing careers in science.
The initiative sought to connect female students with women professionals in the mining industry, offering a platform to share experiences and provide guidance on navigating what remains a male-dominated field.
The event, held to mark International Women’s Day, also highlighted the role of the union in promoting and protecting workers’ rights, particularly for women and young female workers, through advocacy for safe working conditions and fair wages.
Encouraging participation
A Patron of GIST, Ohenewaa Kakra Dankwa, encouraged the girls to take full advantage of the engagement and seek the support available to them.
She expressed her delight at the collaboration, noting the importance of sustained partnerships between academia and industry to empower the next generation of female professionals.
A panel discussion featuring female practitioners in the mining sector offered practical insights into career development. The Explosives Manager at Maxam Ghana, Justina Dzah, and a Mining Engineer at Ghana Manganese Company, Ruth Mends, shared their professional journeys and strategies for succeeding in the industry.
The Head of Training, Programmes and Stakeholder Engagement at the GMWU of TUC, Vida Brewu, delivered an exposition on the theme “Rights. Justice. Action for All Women and Girls.”
Challenges and expectations
She highlighted the multiple expectations placed on women and girls, including achieving high academic standards, excelling at work, nurturing families and contributing to national development, often in the face of systemic barriers.
These, she said, include entrenched socio-cultural norms tied to domestic roles, inadequate campus infrastructure such as poor sanitation facilities for menstrual hygiene, and poorly lit environments that compromise the safety of female students.
She further pointed to limited representation, lack of mentorship, sexual harassment, and insufficient academic and career support as persistent obstacles to women’s progress in research and leadership.
Call to action
Mrs Brewu urged the students to understand their rights, demand justice and take action through networking and speaking out against challenges.
She encouraged them to advocate for change and take control of their personal and professional development.
The Chairperson of the National Women’s Committee of GMWU, Florence E. Nkrumah, described the initiative as timely and significant, reminding participants that women’s rights are grounded in dignity, equality and fairness.
She urged the girls to become agents of change within their communities and beyond.
Adding to the union’s perspective, the Second Vice Chairperson of the GMWU, Agnes Agamasu, underscored the importance of career guidance and institutional support, advising the students to make informed decisions as they pursue opportunities in the mining sector.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh