Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has emphasized the urgent need to tackle the underrepresentation of women in engineering, calling for targeted interventions to spark young girls’ interest in the field.
She made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation from Women in Engineering, a network of female engineering professionals. The discussions centered on key challenges, including the declining interest of young girls in engineering and the systemic barriers limiting women’s participation.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed the importance of developing a comprehensive long-term national development plan. She also advocated for reforms in the education system to incorporate engineering knowledge from local professions, ensuring that students, especially girls, see engineering as a viable career path.
She underscored the need to promote women’s contributions in local trades and tackling language barriers in engineering education.
The delegation, primarily members of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, proposed collaboration with the government to harness engineering solutions for national development and sustainability. They highlighted the need for a national strategy on plastic management and the integration of engineering concepts into education to build early awareness among students.
This development was outlined in a 17-page report released by the Presidency, titled Presidency Communications, on February 10, 2025.
