Twenty-eight (28) academic mentors, nominated by early and mid-career female faculty of the University of Ghana (UG), have been honored by the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA).
The event, which is the first of its kind by the centre, was organized with support from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), in commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD).
The mentors included Prof. Emerita Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf, Prof. Emeritus Ivan Addae Mensah, Prof. Emeritus Ernest Aryeetey, Prof. Emmanuel Kweku Osam, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, Prof. Adobea Yaa Owusu, Prof. Esther Sakyi-Dawson, Prof. Akosua Darkwah, Prof. Charlotte Wringley-Asante, Prof. Angela Ofori-Atta, Prof. Michael Tagoe, and Prof. Richmond Nii Okai Aryeetey.
The remaining were Prof. Wazi Apoh, Prof. Kwadwo Owusu, Prof. Priscilla Twumasi Baffour, Prof. Irene Kretchy, Prof. Jemima Anderson, Prof. Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Prof. Awo Mana Asiedu, Prof. George Boateng Kyei, Prof. Dorcas Osei-Safo, Prof. Emmanuel Kwasi Torpey, Dr. Lilian Akorfa Ohene, Dr. Efua Vandyck, Dr. Millicent A. Cobblah, and Cecilia Adjei.
Explaining the rationale for celebrating the mentors in Accra on Friday, April 12, the Director of CEGENSA, Dr. Deborah Atobrah, noted the Centre’s role in promoting mentorship within the University as a strategic pursuit for fostering gender equity.
She highlighted the mentorship strides achieved by CEGENSA and the setbacks, including the enormous demands that mentoring places on mentors.
“Mentors make sacrifices to support and nurture mentees, a pursuit which does not count in the formal appraisal of one’s work, albeit extremely critical for the very sustenance of the academy,” she said.
Dr. Atobrah also emphasized the decision not to call the event an awards event because no award could match up to the selfless labour of mentoring.
“We, therefore, call it a celebration and appreciation of your distinguished mentoring work,” she added.
The Vice-Chancellor was represented by Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs.
He highlighted the advancements in women’s leadership within the University, citing the all-female Principal Officers and the balanced student-gender ratio.
However, he also acknowledged that there is still much work to be done, particularly in encouraging women and girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) related courses.
The Chairperson for the event, Dr. Doreen Owusu-Fianko, Global Deputy Vice-Chairperson for North and West Africa, congratulated all the mentors and commended CEGENSA and AWDF for their efforts.
Mrs. Beatrice Boakye Yiadom, a representative of AWDF, shared that in line with the 2024 IWD theme – “Invest in women: accelerate progress,” AWDF decided to award grants to 10 women-led organizations in Ghana, including CEGENSA.
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