Molex Foundation to train 500 girls in STEM
The Molex Foundation Africa, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), will train more than 500 girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by 2028.
The training will be conducted under the foundation’s ‘Sheroes in STEM’ initiative.
This came to light last Saturday at the closing ceremony of the Sheroes in STEM Cohort Two, during which 60 girls graduated after training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), coding, robotics and critical thinking.
The graduates also exhibited projects they had developed during the two weeks of intensive training, including a traffic-light system, a smart house, a smart dustbin, the Molex rover, an air-quality sensor and a pulse sensor.
The Founder of the Molex Foundation Africa, Dr Patrick Essien, said his experiences of hardship while pursuing education had inspired him to establish the foundation.
He explained that many young people in Ghana, particularly girls, were unemployed because they lacked the right skills and the Sheroes initiative was created to change that.
“We are not training girls only to code or build robots. We are preparing them to lead, innovate and solve problems in their communities and beyond. By 2028, our goal is to have trained 500 girls who will stand tall as role models for the next generation,” Dr Essien said.
He added that the next phase of the programme would target the northern regions.
Co-founder
Co-founder of the foundation, Dominic Ebo Arhin, described the initiative as a platform that challenged traditional gender roles.
“Sheroes in STEM is not a programme, it is a movement.
It is about rewriting the story of girls in Africa, where they rise confidently to take their place in science and technology,” he said.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Talensi, Daniel Dung Mahama, praised the foundation for investing in the future of Ghanaian girls.
“A country that excludes its women from science and technology cannot progress. By giving these young girls opportunities, you are helping to shape the destiny of our nation,” he said, and pledged support for future editions in the north.
Another co-founder, Ato Turkson, who introduced the foundation’s board of directors, said their inauguration marked a new stage for the organisation and would oversee the programme’s long-term growth.
“This board is the heartbeat of sustainability. They are here to ensure the vision of Sheroes in STEM outlives us and continues to impact generations,” he said.
The board is chaired by Capt. Tabitha Simons-Dadzie, with members including Frank Abeku Adams, Daniel Ofori Dankwa as technical adviser, Flt Lt Phyllis Otchere-Djan, Morris Kusotera, Appiah Nana Ama, Dr Joana Akorfa Amuzu and Raphaelius Guido Coleman.
Others are Dr Nathaniel Bimpong, Michael Erasmus Edumadzie as technical adviser, Mariam Abubekar, Dr Francis Nkrumah and Dr Regina Esi Turkson.
The board secretary is Theresa Nkrumah, while Ivy-Beauty Amartey is executive director.
A representative of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Rebecca Okine, announced the agency’s partnership with the initiative.
“Investing in girls in ICT is investing in Ghana’s future. At GIFEC, we have trained thousands of girls nationwide in digital literacy and robotics, and we are proud to join forces with Molex to scale up this impact,” she said.
The ceremony also saw the launch of the Fallen Hero Initiative in memory of a member of the foundation, the late Alhaji Yussif Rahman, for his work with orphans and vulnerable children.
The initiative will raise funds to support orphans and include an annual lecture and outreach programmes.
