Technology

Stephanie Asabea Opoku, Administrative Officer for the STEMinist Foundation in Ghana, has reiterated the need to empower women and girls through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Miss Opoku explained that Ghana must embrace a strategic two-way strategy while instilling the idea in women professionals. We must encourage the girls to take up courses in STEM for them to be leaders in addressing the climate crisis as innovators, entrepreneurs and creators of initiatives and businesses with significant environmental and social effects. Opoku said this at the Ghana News Agency’s stakeholder engagement, a progressive media platform for state and non-state actors to contribute to national development. She stressed the urgent need to step up efforts to create pathways for women and girls to enter the field According to her, removing barriers to entry, retention and promotion in academia, government service, and commercial sector as well as boosting access to educational opportunities starting at a young age, are necessary to achieve equity for women and girls in STEM disciplines. The Administrator of the STEMinist Foundation, Ghana emphasized that for women in STEM, fusing knowledge with enthusiasm was crucial for both personal and professional development. She stated that,”we need to usher more women into STEM leadership positions” to encourage more women to seek STEM jobs. If they are given a female professor, women are more inclined to major in STEM. Women are more likely to apply for leadership positions and speak up for themselves if they see more female leaders, according to research. Opoku pointed out that unconscious bias persisted and that some executives still think men with the same qualifications are more likely to succeed than women . She said, ” Especially in STEM professions, we all have the obligation to eradicate unconscious prejudices in hiring and personnel selections.” By encouraging women to pursue STEM-related occupations, the Foundation hopes to aid in a just transition to a regenerative economy. Source: GNAPost navigation

Tema, July 14, GNA- The STEMinist Foundation, Ghana says breaking myths surrounding the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is one sure way of encouraging more females to venture into the area. The STEMinist Foundation, Ghana is an active network of women advocating for an equal world through the greater representation of women in STEM fields. The foundation aims to contribute to a just transition to a regenerative economy by inspiring women to take-up STEM-related careers Ms. Stephanie Asabea Opoku, Administrative Officer, STEMinist Foundation Ghana, stated this at a stakeholder engagement organized by the Ghana News Agency, which is a progressive media platform for state and non-state actors to contribute to national development Ms. Opoku said society had created the impression that the STEM field was very tough, suitable for men and people to be very analytical, with little or no jobs available, especially for women. She said the field was rather interesting and dynamic and allowed people to solve problems around the world in different ways, stressing that there were several jobs that required people with STEM backgrounds to fill such spaces irrespective of their gender. She mentioned that although the number of women venturing into the field is increasing currently, more needs to be done to encourage girls, right from their basic education, to see the field as one that could be studied by all. She added that the field brought out the creativity of people, who were being innovative to pull some gaps in the society as well as create more jobs for others, adding that the era where people completed school and awaited employment was being changed by the introduction of STEM. Ms. Opoku said the focus of education had gone beyond only math and science concepts, saying that critical thinking, decision-making, curiosity, leadership and problem solving were some benefits STEM was imbibing in the children, making them challenge standards. She stressed the need to capitalize on STEM to prepare the future generation, especially females, to become innovators and inventors Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Manager, encouraged female journalist to venture into STEM reportage, which would also serve as a catalyst to encourage younger ones to study science and it’s related courses. Mr. Ameyibor urged media houses to build the capacity of their reporters to take on the new challenge of the STEM revolution through enhanced reportage. GNA. By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah