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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
News
Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
