Underground Mining Alliance piques interest of Girls in Obuasi Sec Tech in STEM

In Ghana, women are underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, holding only about 25% of all STEM jobs.

This presents a significant gap compared to their representation in non-STEM fields.

To address this issue, the Underground Mining Alliance (UMA) in Obuasi has chosen second-cycle institutions as key places to inspire girls to pursue STEM education. During a mentorship program organized by UMA at the Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Philippe Pearse, the Project Manager for UMA, emphasized that there is no better time than International Women's Day month to empower girls to be assertive, ambitious, and to fully explore their potential.

"As a company that believes in diversity and inclusiveness, we have extended this mentorship program, led by successful women in various fields, to encourage the girls to aspire to greater heights," he stated.

Yvonne Adomako Asabre, the Training and Development Coordinator at UMA, noted that empowering girls requires a holistic approach. She highlighted the importance of involving women who have thrived in STEM-related careers and entrepreneurship. She also observed a growing interest in STEM among girls at the school, which is encouraging and serves as the right motivation to foster their interest in STEM education.

Mrs. Maudester Ofori, Procurement Compliance Officer and CSR Advocate, stressed the significance of International Women's Day as a time for reflection and action. She urged students to harness their potential, challenge societal norms, and take purposeful steps toward shaping their futures. She inspired the young women with the message: “You are the leaders of tomorrow, but also the leaders of today. Rights, equality, and empowerment are not just words—they are the tools you need to change the world.”

Ing. Mrs. Linda Ofori-Acheampong, Chief Geologist for Resource Evaluation at AngloGold Ashanti, praised the importance of STEM education. She explained that when girls are empowered to pursue STEM, they are more likely to contribute positively to their communities, improve their families' economic prospects, and become leaders who drive change. The ripple effect of this investment is substantial.

She encouraged the girls to learn from the successes of women in male-dominated fields, stating, “If others have made it to the top in traditionally male-dominated areas, why can't we do the same? Let's be ambitious and adventurous so that we can succeed.”

Mrs. Nana Afia Boachie-Tsikata, CEO of Bacnof Schools Ghana and a women's empowerment advocate, also urged girls to be ambitious, fearless, and goal-oriented. She advised that to break down barriers to gender equity and parity, girls should maintain discipline, possess high levels of integrity, and remain steadfast.

After the program, participants shared their thoughts, expressing excitement at hearing real-life stories from women who have persevered and succeeded despite challenges.