Accra: Juliana Somuah’s journey from the ‘ghettos’ of Soko and Banana Inn in Dansoman, Accra, to becoming an internationally recognized figure in engineering is a testament to her defiance of traditional gender roles and her relentless pursuit of success.
According to Ghana News Agency, Juliana has become a PhD student in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems at the University of North Carolina (UNC Charlotte) and is an award-winning advocate for women in engineering. Her path was greatly influenced by her father, Charles, who worked at Ghana Water Company. This exposure, combined with a ‘military-style’ upbringing as the only girl among three brothers, fueled her ambition to break into the male-dominated field of engineering.
Growing up in challenging environments, Juliana’s family stood out due to her father’s influence, which steered her toward Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). After completing her education in Building Technology, she worked at the West African Gas Pipeline Company, where she inadvertently discovered her passion for facility management.
Frustrated by gender-based limitations in Ghana, Juliana moved to the United States in 2019, where she faced both recognition and challenges in American academia. Her approach was simple: let her work speak for itself. By proving her capabilities consistently, she overcame skepticism and established herself as a credible professional in her field.
Juliana’s impact is not limited to her personal achievements. She serves as a resource for the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Ghana chapter and is actively involved in establishing student chapters at several Ghanaian universities. Her mentorship programs aim to introduce young Ghanaians to facility management, offering them opportunities to attend international conferences and build global networks.
Her influence extends to the international level as she counsels students at UNC Charlotte, encouraging them to pursue careers in construction and facility management. This work has earned her recognition for promoting women in Facility Management. Despite her success, Juliana remains committed to fostering a culture of mentorship and change, challenging the norms that keep many young Ghanaians from reaching international platforms.
Juliana Somuah’s story is not just one of personal triumph but a call for African societies to create environments where talented individuals can thrive based on merit. Her journey from Dansoman to international recognition in facility management is a blueprint for harnessing Africa’s human capital, emphasizing the value of talent, merit, and long-term vision over connections and short-term fixes.