Over 160 girls from selected senior high schools in Cape Coast have benefited from a two-day lecture series designed to break barriers and foster greater participation of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Participating schools included Oguaa Senior High School, Holy Child High School, Ghana National College, Aggrey Memorial Senior High School, and University Practice Senior High School.
The programme, held at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) under the theme “Securing STEM Futures: Empowering Girls in Ghana,” was a collaboration between UCC, the University of Ghana, the University of Birmingham, and GH Scientific, with funding support from the British Council.
In his welcoming address at the opening of the programme on Thursday, August 28, 2025, the Vice Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SoPPs), Dr. Isaac Tabiri Henneh highlighted the importance of STEM for global progress and Ghana’s competitiveness.
He described STEM as the driving force behind innovation and societal advancement, essential in tackling challenges such as climate change, food security, healthcare delivery, sustainable energy, and digital transformation.
He added that for Ghana to compete on the world stage, “we must invest in the creativity, intellect and skills of our young people. And in doing so, we must never leave our girls behind.”
Dr. Isaac Tabiri Henneh encouraged the girls to pursue their passion in STEM, emphasizing that the world awaits their ideas, inventions and leadership.
“Your gender should never limit your dreams,” he said, further adding that ‘If you are passionate about mathematics, pursue it. If you are curious about how machines work, build them and if you are fascinated by how the brain functions, study it.”
An associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, Prof. Bunmi Ibrahim, emphasized the University’s commitment to globalization and inclusivity in addressing the global decline in STEM participation, particularly among girls.
To further address this trend, she underscored the need to explore a mentorship network for pre-tertiary girls, linking them with career scientists – including current STEM students and recent graduates – to provide meaningful skill-building opportunities.
“This way, they equip themselves, it gives them more chance of getting better job opportunities around the world, not just in the UK, but then even in the UK, either opportunities to do internships or placements, those are things that we are exploring as well,” she said in an interview with ATLFM News on the sidelines of the event.
Prof. Bunmi Ibrahim also advocated for collective support to empower girls in STEM, stressing the need for their unique skills in solving future problems.
Dr. Thomas Tagoe, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School and Co-founder, GH Scientific, explained that the initiative supports the growing need for skilled workers with STEM knowledge in education and industry by keeping more girls involved.
He said the initiative is being rolled out across Cape Coast, Accra and Tamale with both online and in-person sessions.
He added that the long-term vision is to have participants enrol in a multi-year mentorship programme, with quarterly check-ins planned over the next 3-5 years to ensure continued support and growth.
Some participants of the two-day lecture series programme who spoke to ATLFMNEWS expressed excitement at the hands-on STEM activities, showing new confidence and motivation in succeeding in STEM.
Topics covered during the programme included Guided reflection on personal identity, values, and strengths, exploring different career clusters, education, requirements and growth areas, among others, for their personal development, identity and career pathways.
Participants were also engaged in STEM in action and career conversations, where they had the opportunity to tour the UCC School of Pharmacy laboratories and also interact with STEM career mentors who shared their personal journeys and life lessons pursuing STEM.
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