Women in Engineering Ghana (WinE Ghana), a network of Ghanaian women Engineering practitioners and student members within the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhiE), has proposed to re-engineer markets in Ghana for the Covid-19 period and beyond.

The proposal document was presented to the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, with copies sent to the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Gender and Children Affairs on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

The WinE Ghana also presented baskets, nose marks, hand sanitizers and veronica buckets to be distributed to the market women in selected markets in Accra, Kumasi and Tema.

According to the WinE Ghana President, Ing. Dr. Mrs. Enyonam Kpekpena, the Women in Engineering Ghana added the locally made palm branch baskets to their items because they find it very unpleasant to see food items meant for consumption on the grounds at various markets.

"As we are all aware, the marketplace is the warehouse for refuelling our energy store at every home. It’s also the most vulnerable place for the transfer of the virus. It is based on this that WinE Ghana believes that it's time to do something in our own small way to protect our warehouse. We are aware that the food that ends up on our tables are from these markets and the earlier interventions are put in place, the better it will be for our collective health," Ing. Dr Kpekpena added.

The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Cecilia Dapaah, receiving the proposal from the WinE President, said, her ministry and the local government ministry as well as ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, would study the proposal and ensure it gets the appropriate attention from government.

She reiterated that everything about the existence of mankind is engineering, hence the proposal by the Women in Engineering Ghana to the Ministry, as well as the proposal to re-engineer markets in the country, was a welcome idea.

She expressed delight to see women actively involved in the Engineering practice in the country, especially, having a first Ghanaian female engineer to head Federation of African Engineering Organizations (FAEO) in the person of Ing. Carlien Bou-Chedid.

Hon. Cecilia Dapaah insisted that social distancing and wearing of nose masks are the best options to reduce the spread of the virus, and urged all Ghanaians to comply with the President’s directives to the letter.

The Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Freda Prempeh added that COVID-19 is a collective fight so her ministry is happy that Women in Engineering Ghana has come on board to help re-engineer our markets.

In attendance included the President of GhiE, Ing. Alexander Leslie Ayeh, the President-Elect of Federation of African Engineering Organizations (FAEO), Ing. Mrs. Carlien Bou-Chedid, who is also a Past President of GhiE, Ing. Harold Esseku, Vice-President of GhiE, some WinE Ghana members, Chief Director of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.