The Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) at the University of Ghana has honored personalities who have played tremendous roles in raising women leaders in academia.

Established in 2005, the Centre has been driving gender equity within the University community, with a strategic goal of promoting mentorship at its core.

This initiative also included the formation of a Mentoring Committee, aimed at better supervising the members' progress. As a result, there has been a significant increase in women leaders contributing to key decision-making and the execution of major policies on the university campus today.

In light of these achievements, the Centre organized an event to shine a light on promoters of women as part of the pursuit of support from the African Women’s Development Fund to celebrate the 2024 International Women’s Day.

According to the Director at CEGENSA, Dr. Deborah Atobrah, “we put out a call for the faculty to nominate one of their key mentors for appreciation.”

She indicated that a total of 32 nominations were received and accepted. These honorees were celebrated at the event held at UG’s ISSER Conference Hall on Friday, April 12, 2024.

During the event, mentees expressed their profound gratitude for the immense support and selflessness exhibited by their mentors in nurturing them to take on the world.

Each mentor was presented with plaques and gift baskets.

Grants Manager at the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), Beatrice Boakye-Yiadom, could not hide her elation about the event.

She explained that one of her organization’s missions is to encourage the injection of more resources for women’s rights groups and movements that advance females’ rights in Africa.

Mrs. Boakye-Yiadom expressed joy about joining CEGENSA to honor “some of our distinguished women leaders to assure them that we see them, we acknowledge them, and we appreciate them.”

She further added, “It is, therefore, with great joy that my colleagues and I are joining CEGENSA today to honor some distinguished members of this community who have been mentoring the upcoming group of female leaders in this university.”

Some of the awardees include; Prof Michael A. Tagoe, Prof Ernest Aryeetey, Prof Audrey Gadzekpo, Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Prof Charlotte Wrigey-Asante, Prof Akosua Darkwah, Prof Richmond Nii Okai Aryeetey, Prof Angela Ofori-Atta, Dr Millicent Cobblah, Prof Jemima Asabea Anderson, Prof Emmanuel Kwasi Torpey, Prof Wazi Apoh, Prof Kwadwo Owusu, Prof Priscilla Twumasi Baffour, Prof Adobea Yaa Owusu, and Prof Akosua Adomako Ampofo.

Others are; Dr Efua Vandyk (PhD), Prof Irene Kretchy, Emeritus Prof Iva Addae-Mensah, Dr Lilian Akorfa Ohene, Emerita Prof Elizabeth Ardayifo-Schandorf, Cecilia Adjei, Prof Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Prof George Boateng Kyei, Prof Emmanuel Kweku Osam, Prof Dorcas Osei-Safo, Prof Awo Mana Asiedu, and Prof Esther Sakyi-Sawson.

The event was on the theme, ‘Empowering Women Academics and Accelerating Their Progress In A Changing World’.