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2-day workshop on GEII held in Accra
A two-day training workshop on Gender Equality, Inclusivity, and Intersectionality (GEII) has being held in Accra.
The training aimed to equip stakeholders with tools to break these barriers and create an open, diverse, and equitable research environment.
The workshop focused on training participants to recognise unconscious biases, adopt gender-sensitive research methods, and ensure inclusivity in research teams.
The Director of Research, Statistics, and Information Management at the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST), Mr Cephas Adjei Mensah, emphasised that gender considerations should not be treated as side issues but should be central to research and policy-making.
He noted that Ghana’s progress in science, technology, and innovation (STI) depends on ensuring that diverse perspectives were represented.
Mr Mensah stressed that persistent gender gaps in research and evaluation hinder innovation and equitable development.
He said current Gender Equality and Inclusivity (GEI) Project, running from 2023 to 2025, aims to enhance women’s roles in research, expand inclusivity beyond gender, and integrate GEI principles into research design.
“A key aspect of the training was to build the capacity of evaluators to assess research proposals with a gender and inclusivity lens,” he said.
Dr Wilhemina Quaye, Director of CSIR-STEPRI, highlighted the critical funding challenges in research and development in Ghana.
She noted that while the government was supposed to allocate at least one per cent of GDP to research, the current figure stands at only 0.3 per cent.
“This funding gap affects both research institutions and academic bodies, making external support from initiatives like SGCI crucial,” she said.
She emphasized that research is not just about creating knowledge but about engaging with society to find solutions to real-world problems.
Dr Quaye also stressed the importance of science communication, urging the media to help disseminate research findings.
She pointed out that science must not remain in institutions but should be shared with industry players, civil society, and the public to ensure that research innovations are applied in everyday life.
Dr Quaye emphasized that intergenerational knowledge transfer is essential, as the expertise of experienced researchers must not be lost when they retire.
“The integration of young people, women, and underrepresented groups into research teams was identified as a key step towards sustainable development,” she explained
Participants expressed their commitment to integrating GEI principles into their work and ensuring that scientific research in Ghana benefits all sectors of society.
By Agnes Opoku Sarpong
![Dr.Newman [middle] being assited by Prof Abotsi [second from right] and Prof Acakpovi [left] to launched the Strategic Plan document photo Okai Elizabeth](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dr.Newman-middle-being-assited-by-Prof-Abotsi-second-from-right-and-Prof-Acakpovi-left-to-launched-the-Strategic-Plan-document-photo-Okai-Elizabeth.jpg)
THE Accra Technical University (ATU) on Tuesday officially launched its Strategic Plan for 2026–2030 in Accra, aimed at driving innovation and strengthening institutional capacity across key operational areas.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Humphrey Awuletey Williams, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oswal Investments Limited, explained that the strategic plan seeks to respond to emerging challenges while positioning the institution as a forward-thinking leader in development.
He urged the university’s leadership to leverage their expertise to train students to be innovative and produce competitive products for both African and international markets.
According to him, employers increasingly demand competence-based human capital beyond academic certificates to drive development.
Mr Williams commended the Governing Council, Academic Board, Management, and other stakeholders for developing what he described as a ‘formative tool,’ and encouraged them to ensure its full implementation.
The Vice Chancellor of ATU, Mr Amevi Acapkvovi, emphasised that the strategic plan focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening stakeholder engagement.
“The strategic plan is not just a document, but a commitment to excellence, accountability and progress,” he said, adding that inclusivity is also central to the institution’s operations.
He outlined seven key focus areas of the plan: industry-based education; digital transformation and modernised infrastructure; quality assurance and institutional excellence; industry-driven research, innovation and entrepreneurship; staff development, motivation and welfare; strategic partnerships and increased visibility; and sustainable and green technologies.
Prof. Ernest Abotsi, stressed that the plan must not ‘gather dust’ but should be actively implemented to achieve success.
“Currently, ATU is adopting measures to assess the cost of running the institution, and this plan will serve as a guide to promote the university at every level,” he said.
Stakeholders present lauded the initiative, noting that its clear framework and measurable targets would help track progress and ensure transparency in the institution’s operations.
The university expressed confidence that, with support from partners and staff, the plan would significantly contribute to national development and set a benchmark for excellence in the sector.
The ceremony brought together stakeholders from government, traditional leadership, academia, industry, and civil society.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
It was an exciting moment as hundreds of revellers from various parts of Accra trooped to the Independence Square beach in Osu to celebrate Easter.
Dressed in all kinds of beach costumes, parents were seen with their children having fun and enjoying the moment.
Others made the best of their outing by engaging in other fun activities.
The revellers engaged in games such as football, ampe, athletics while others just sat, relaxed to release stress amidst music provided by some revellers.
By Lizzy Okai
