Accra: The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), with the backing of the Mastercard Foundation, has collaborated with Technical Universities in Ghana to provide scholarships for students, particularly female senior high school graduates, who are interested in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET)-related programs.
According to Ghana News Agency, the scholarship initiative aims to support 80 percent female and 20 percent male students, with a focus on including 5 to 15 percent of beneficiaries who are persons with disabilities and refugees. Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy, a board member of the FAWE Ghana Chapter, highlighted the vulnerability of girls in accessing TVET education, noting a trend of exclusion. She emphasized the importance of higher and equitable education in Africa’s economic inclusion, as recognized by the United Nations.
During a meeting in Accra with Vice Chancellors and Registrars from Technical U
niversities and the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Professor Sutherland-Addy pointed out the challenges such as high poverty levels, gender stereotyping, and the inability to afford fees, which hinder female access to STEM education at the tertiary level. The project aims to address these issues by providing access to digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and conflict resolution training through gender-responsive modules.
She urged Vice Chancellors and Registrars to facilitate late admissions and preferential treatment for beneficiaries. Reverend Professor John Frank Eshun, Chairman of the Vice-Chancellors of Technical Universities of Ghana, reiterated the importance of equity and inclusivity in university policies to bridge educational access gaps and create pathways for all students.
Professor Eshun noted that despite efforts to engage more women in TVET, their representation remains low due to gender stereotypes, limited access to quality programs, and s
ocietal expectations. He advocated for policies that encourage female participation in TVET and a supportive learning environment that caters to diverse learning styles. He stressed the need to dismantle structural barriers contributing to gender inequality in education.
Ms. Anna Nabere, Programmes Manager at FAWE, shared that the FAWE and Mastercard Foundation Phase II program is being implemented in ten Sub-Saharan African countries, including Ghana. She highlighted the multifaceted challenges young people in Africa face, such as acute poverty and missed education opportunities, as reported by the International Labour Organization in 2022. The program aims to address the mismatch and shortage of skills needed for dignified work and the socio-cultural barriers to girls’ education, such as forced marriages after secondary school.
Ms. Nabere stated that the program would focus on regions with high poverty indices, selecting beneficiaries from areas like Northeast, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West, Northern,
Volta, and Oti.
