By: Kenneth Appiah Bani.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has urged collective action to increase the enrollment of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Olivia Serwaa Opare, Director of Science Education at GES, emphasized that women currently hold less than 30 percent of STEM-related jobs in Ghana, a gap she described as an economic disadvantage, given the role of STEM careers in driving innovation, social well-being, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebration at Methodist Girls Senior High School in Mamfe-Akuapem, Eastern Region, Madam Opare encouraged female students to pursue STEM careers to enhance their employment opportunities. She urged them to challenge societal stereotypes that associate STEM fields with males and called on teachers and parents to provide the necessary support and guidance.
The event, themed “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science,” gathered female students from senior high and basic schools across the Akuapem Ridge. It also marked the 10th anniversary of the day’s observance in Ghana, honoring distinguished women professionals in STEM for their remarkable contributions.
Madam Opare advocated for the implementation of policies and programs that create opportunities and a supportive environment to inspire more girls to venture into STEM.
Echoing her sentiments, Edmond Moukala, UNESCO’s Representative to Ghana, stressed the need for inclusive initiatives to empower women and girls in STEM. “Over the past 10 years, significant progress has been made in breaking down barriers, yet we know that there is still a lot to do. Too many girls and women are held back by biases, social norms, and expectations influencing the quality of the education they receive and the subjects they study,” he noted.
Moukala called for the training of teachers in gender-responsive digital skills and advocated for the expansion of mentorship programs, after-school STEM initiatives, and educational camps to support girls’ participation in STEM.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established by the United Nations on February 11, 2015, to promote full and equal access to and participation in STEM fields for women and girls worldwide.
