Women urged to break barriers
Vivo Energy Ghana has called on women to break barriers and seize opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
THE Chief Human Resource Officer of Vivo Energy Ghana, Reinette Wessels, who made the call last Monday, emphasised the need to foster female participation not only in STEM but also in fields such as human resource, communications and finance.
She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to bridge the gender gap in STEM-related fields as part of a broader push to cultivate female talent across Ghana and beyond.
“Our mission is to expand opportunities for women in STEM and provide a supportive environment where they can thrive. We believe that fostering diversity leads to innovation and economic growth,” Ms Wessels stated.
She was speaking at an annual summit dubbed, ShePower Summit, on the theme: “Fuelling Change: Redefining Possibilities for Women in STEM”.
The summit, which was held to mark International Women’s Day (IWD), was developed in partnership with HR Focus, a periodical publication, to change the landscape for women and girls, equipping them with the necessary skills to ascend to leadership positions, particularly within the oil and gas industry.
The summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers, educators and aspiring female STEM professionals to discuss gender disparities and promote increased female participation in STEM-related careers.
It featured discussions on mentorship, scholarship opportunities, and industry partnerships to empower young women pursuing STEM careers. Industry experts, government officials and development partners also shared insights into the challenges and opportunities in STEM education and professional advancement.
Rationale
Ms Wessels stated that as part of the gender inclusion drive, Vivo Energy Ghana had set an ambitious target to increase female representation to 40 per cent across its African operations by the end of 2026.
“At the moment, we are at 34.5 per cent and we are continuously driving that across the group,” she said.
In addition, Ms Wessels said the company aimed to boost professional and skilled workforce representation to 45 per cent by 2026, a target that is well within reach, as the current figure stands at almost 43 per cent.
“With sustained efforts and strategic interventions, we hope to make meaningful progress in gender inclusion, paving the way for a more balanced and equitable future in Ghana’s oil and gas sector,” she added.
Challenge
The Co-founder of Legacy Girls’ College and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of L’aine Group, Dr Ellen Hagan, challenged women to embrace opportunities in STEM and break systemic barriers that limit their access to economic independence.
She said many women hesitated to enter STEM fields, not due to a lack of ability, but because of deeply ingrained societal norms.
Dr Hagan urged women to be confident, step into leadership roles and mentor, support, uplift and advocate for fellow women.
“Together, we can break the barriers that hold us back and shape a future where women lead, innovate and thrive. The change we seek won’t happen overnight, but we must persist,” she stated.
Commitment
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, in a speech read on her behalf by a Director at the ministry, Miriam Boafowaa Opoku, emphasised that enhancing opportunities for women in STEM was not just a matter of equality, but a necessity for balanced global development.
Ms Opoku announced an ongoing review of the National Gender Policy to enhance inclusivity in development processes.
She said the Ghana Education Service (GES), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, had introduced model STEM schools across the country to equip students with problem-solving, digital literacy, creativity and innovation skills.
The Education Officer at UNICEF Ghana, Rhoda Enchill, reaffirmed her outfit’s commitment to advancing girls’ education through capacity-building programmes for STEM activities at the school level.
