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Girls have been encouraged to take full advantage of education and technology to aspire to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
This is because the system did not encourage more females in male-dominated fields, but now, opportunities abound.
The advice was given at a day’s programme to inspire young girls in Takoradi to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
The programme, an initiative of power producer, Karpowership Ghana, was in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Gender, and TVET Services.
The event, held in celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, attracted over 300 students, along with teachers and parents, from 10 basic and senior high schools.
The programme, which was hosted at Fijai Senior High School, was on the theme: “Girls' Vision for the Future”.
It featured presentations from guest speakers, hands-on demonstrations by students studying TVET-related courses, and mentorship breakout sessions with professionals.
These sessions offered the students a unique opportunity to engage in one-on-one and small-group discussions, providing valuable insights into the potential career paths available to them.
The Communications Manager of Karpowership Ghana, Sandra Amarquaye, underscored the company's commitment to supporting initiatives that empower young girls.
She highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for girls to achieve their dreams, particularly in fields where they were underrepresented.
Ms Amarquaye called on all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and the community at large, to support girls in overcoming barriers that could limit their progress.
“To unlock the potential of girls and attain SDG Goal 5 - gender equality - we must dismantle the social, economic and cultural barriers that obstruct their paths.
“ I urge families, communities, and governments to prioritise the education and empowerment of girls,” she stated.
She stated that as part of Karpowership Ghana’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5, which advocated gender equality, the organisation had instituted programmes focused on empowering the girl child, which had successfully mentored over 400 young women and committed to so more.
The Regional Girls Officer at the GES, Josephine Christian Roman, commended Karpowership Ghana for spearheading such an impactful initiative.
She appealed to parents, encouraging them to allow their children the freedom to explore fields of interest while guiding them in making informed choices.
The Regional Director at the Department of Gender, Maribel Akuorkor Okine, highlighted the importance of supporting girls in their educational journeys, stating that “empowering young women in TVET is crucial for achieving gender equality and fostering sustainable development”.
The TVET desk officer, Madam Beatrice Forson, also emphasised the importance of technical and vocational education for girls.
She called for sustained support and encouragement, stating that such initiatives could empower girls to make career choices that would shape their future.
Several student participants shared their excitement about the event.
Maame Afua, a junior high school student, said, “This programme has really opened my eyes to new possibilities. I now see that I can pursue a career in engineering, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from the experts.”
Emmanuella Robert, another participant, added, “I’m inspired to take up TVET studies and believe that with more events like these, more girls will feel confident to pursue these fields.”
