Distinguish yourselves to excel in male-dominated energy sector - Panellists urge women professionals
An all-female panel has called on women professionals to make conscious efforts to distinguish themselves in order to excel in the male-dominated energy and engineering sectors.
They said it was important for women working in such fields to work harder even more than their male colleagues in order to meet their targets in the ever-competitive and challenging energy and engineering field.
“We believe that women are already disadvantaged in the energy sector.
It is, therefore, important for those who get the opportunity to work in the field to excel to open doors for other capable women to also come in” they said.
Summit
They made the remarks during a panel discussion at the 2026 ShePower Summit organised by Vivo Energy Ghana PLC, an exclusive distributor of Shell-branded fuels and lubricants, in collaboration with the College of Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
ShePower is Vivo Energy Ghana’s flagship initiative dedicated to advancing women in the energy sector. It has become a significant platform connecting female engineering students with industry leaders, career pathways and real opportunities in the sector.
The event which was held as part of activities marking this year’s International Women’s Day was also used to unveil the NextGen Energy Innovators Challenge designed to challenge the next generation to develop practical, forward-thinking solutions for Ghana’s evolving energy landscape.
No lowered standards
In a submission, a Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemical Engineering, KNUST, Dr Mizpah Ama Dziedzorm Rockson, stated that the standards would not be lowered for being a woman in the engineering field.
She said “once you enter the field as a woman, the onus lies on you to work diligently to make the mark. You need to make sure you are always on top of the work towards achieving set targets”.
A Reservoir Engineer at the Petroleum Commission, Portia Owusuwaah Obeng, said for women to excel in the energy sector, they ought to work as hard as men, saying “by doing so, it will make you outstanding and give you better output”.
For her part, a Completions Engineer, Lauretta Atobra, mentioned that it was always for women in the engineering field to work hard to justify themselves in the field where women are already in the minority.
Other speakers
Addressing the event, the Managing Director, Vivo Energy Ghana, Christian Li, said when women were given access, mentorship and opportunity, industries transformed for the benefit of all.
The Dean, Faculty of Civil and Geo Engineering, KNUST, Professor Kwaku Ammaning Adjei, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, said the energy sector needed the ideas, creativity and leadership of women.
“Whether it is renewable energy, energy policy, sustainable infrastructure or emerging technologies, the challenges we face as a country require diverse perspectives and bold thinking, including that of women”.
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