CEGENSA honours mentors of women academics

The Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) at the University of Ghana recently celebrated the outstanding contributions of 28 mentors who have played a pivotal role in guiding women academics into prominent roles within academia.

This recognition event highlighted the efforts of 10 male and 18 female mentors, including influential figures such as the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo; Professors Jemima Anderson, Ivan Addae-Mensah, Ernest Aryeteey; and Professors Daniel Ofori Frimpong and Kwasi Torpey. Each received citations and gifts for their mentoring efforts.

Dr. Doreen Owusu-Fianko, Deputy Global Chairperson of WiLAT Global, chaired this significant event, which focused on “Empowering women academics and accelerating their progress in a changing world.”

ALSO READ: Ghana Tertiary Education Commission Spearheads Policy Framework for Distance Education in Ghana

The ceremony was a convergence of CEGENSA staff and associates, celebrating the crucial support systems that empower women in academia.

Dr. Deborah Atobrah, Director of CEGENSA, emphasized the center’s longstanding commitment to fostering gender equality through mentoring since its establishment in 2005.

Despite many initiatives, she noted a persistent mentoring gap affecting early and mid-career female faculty.

With findings from a recent CEGENSA-led study underscoring a substantial mentoring deficit and high work-related despondencies among female academics, the event also marked a strategic move to refine and improve mentoring models.

Supported by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) for the 2024 International Women’s Day, CEGENSA used this opportunity to honor these key mentoring figures based on nominations from female faculty.

The initiative not only recognizes but also motivates continued support for women in academia.

Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Students and Academic Affairs, acknowledged the university’s strides in enhancing women’s leadership roles, yet highlighted the ongoing need for more representation, particularly in the sciences.

Beatrice Boakye Yiadom, representing AWDF, underscored the organization’s dedication to fostering women’s rights and empowerment through substantial investments and support for women-led initiatives, including CEGENSA.

This event served as both a celebration and a call to action, recognizing the instrumental role of mentorship in advancing gender equality and the professional growth of women in academia.

Share Our Post on the Topic ‘CEGENSA honours mentors of women academics’.

To Read More Stories, Click Here.