Provost of the College of Engineering, KNUST, Ing. Professor Mark Adom-Asamoah, has stressed on the importance of putting women at the fore of engineering projects, citing examples of countries which have advanced in engineering due to the greater ratio of practicing women engineers.

Speaking at the Africa’s Women’s Day, he charged Women in Engineering (WinE) Ghana to push the advocacy agenda for more young women to not only read engineering programmes, but to practice as well.

In an opening statement, Charles Abani, UN Resident coordinator for Ghana, called for advocacy for the Affirmative Action Bill to ensure inclusiveness of women’s opinions in Ghana’s bid to enhance Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

He also urged African women engineers to occupy their space, wherever they find themselves, and make their impact felt.

Ing. Carlien Bou-Chedid, President of Federation of African of Engineering Organisations (FAEO), stressed on the importance of celebrating women venturing into men’s field because they act as role models for other females.

She encouraged female engineers to think through solutions by putting themselves in the shoes of female end-users to help in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

She also charged all to be the change they wished to see in society across Africa.

Ing. Yetunde Holloway of WFEO-WIE also said African women should be celebrated, from the rural women to the outstanding women achievers in society because everyone’s contribution counts.

“Women engineers should aspire for positions in governance where their opinions would matter more. Young engineers must be confident to take up engineering careers by standing on the shoulders provided by outstanding women engineers”.

Ing. Prof. Rev. Charles Adams, President of the Ghana Institute of Engineering (GhIE) applauded WinE for its ability to organise women engineers in any place and at any given opportunity, adding, Africa’s development has been incomplete because women’s perspectives have been ignored. It is time to try women’s ideas in solving developmental problems.

In conclusion, Ing. Naa Lamkai Quaye-Ballard prompted female engineering students on opportunities for mentorship and internship positions which were readily available through WinE Ghana.

Some female engineers also shared their inspiring life and career experiences to motivate young women engineering students present not to give up on practicing in their respective fields after completing their programmes.

They included Ing. Marion Dwamena, Deputy Resident Engineer AYA consulting, Accra; Ing. Dr. Benneta Koomson, Material Engineering Department, KNUST;  Ing. Anna Amankwah-Minkah, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani; Ing. Helena Bota, Electricity Company of Ghana and Ing. Prof. Abena Obiri-Yeboah, Kumasi Technical University.

A cake was cut to commemorate the Africa’s Women’s Day celebrations.

A total of about 100 female engineering students from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Energy and Natural Resources and Kumasi Technical University were present.

The event was a hybrid one with online participation via zoom.

There were also representation from UNESCO.