The Department of Petroleum Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has hosted the ShePower Summit in partnership with Vivo Energy to promote the empowerment of women in engineering and the energy sector.
The summit, held at the Kumapley Auditorium on Thursday, brought together students, academics, and industry professionals to discuss innovative solutions for national development under the theme “Empowering Women in Energy: Innovative Solutions for a Successful Ghana.”
The Managing Director of Vivo Energy, Mr Christian Li encouraged young women to believe in their abilities and actively pursue opportunities in the engineering and energy sectors. He described ShePower as a movement designed to inspire women to unlock their full potential and urged young women not to negotiate their potential but rather demonstrate their capabilities.
“ShePower is a movement. Believe in your dreams and invest in your skills. True respect is built on purpose and not solely on performance, remain focused and pursue your goals, he said.
The Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Geo-Engineering, KNUST, Professo Kwaku Amaning Adjei highlighted the steady rise in female enrollment in engineering programmes at the university.
According to him, women currently make up about 30 percent of engineering students at KNUST. He revealed that female students are not only enrolling in engineering programmes but are also excelling academically and professionally.
Professor Agyei emphasized that talent and excellence are not defined by gender and encouraged stakeholders to provide the necessary support systems to help women thrive in the field.
“Participation alone is not enough, there is a need for mentorship, networking opportunities and institutional support to help women succeed in engineering and energy-related careers.
Professor David Ato Quansah, Director of the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre underscored the critical role of energy in economic growth and human development. He noted that access to reliable energy remains a key requirement for the advancement of any nation.
“Access to energy is a necessary requirement for economic and human development,” he stated.
Professor Quansah further explained that developed countries have achieved their progress partly because they have reliable and adequate energy supply. He commended Ghana for achieving one of the highest energy access rates in Africa, estimating it at about 90 percent. However, he cautioned that limited or unreliable energy supply could create significant burdens for citizens, leading to wasted time, discomfort and reduced productivity.
The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KNUST and Vivo Energy aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
Story by Grace Klenam Adika