MyJoyOnline: Ghana Girls Science Clubs hold durbar

As reported on MyJoyOnline on Aug 6, 2015

The Ghana Girls Science Clubs last Monday held a durbar at the St. Sylvanus Basic school in Pokuase near Accra to showcase to parents and the general public, some basic laboratory tests they have learnt through their various engagements at their club meetings. The event brought together seven basic schools from around Accra.

The event was to underscore the fact that the development of Ghana depends on improvements in educational access and a transformation of teaching and learning methods.

Petrine Addae, Country Director of Africa Women Advocacy Project, the body that sponsors the activities of Girls Science Clubs explained that “women are gravely underrepresented in science, engineering and technology studies and careers because they lack confidence and encouragement”.

“Science, engineering and technology is best grasped through hands-on learning”, she said.
She said science programs seldom have equal representation of boys and girls, further disadvantaging young women.

The training of women in science, which is championed by Africa Woman Advocacy Project (AWAP) is aimed at alerting teachers about biases against girls and also to enable girls to become science advocates in their schools and communities.

Prof Esi Awuah encouraged the girls to keep working hard at school so that they do not drop out of the education system. She commended AWAP for their contribution towards women empowerment through science.

Director of Department of Children, Ministry of Gender Children and social protection, Helen Obeng Asamoah, who delivered a speech on behalf of the sector Minister said “girls face discrimination, violence and abuse every day and empowering them is a moral imperative, a matter of human justice and equality critical for achieving the Millennium Development goals”.

She added that “we stand to gain so much if we expose girls to the field of science and technology by creating environments that are inviting and attractive. There is a great need to maintain their interest in the field in-school and out-of-school programs”.