Gender
Experts call for inclusion of women in upstream petroleum sector
Nana Darko
Experts in the energy sector have advocated a deliberate inclusiveness policy for women in the upstream petroleum sector to promote equity in Ghana’s search for gender balance in the industry.
They further suggested a policy to address the gaps in gender parity to attaining the role of all persons, particularly people with disability, in the sector that hold huge potentials for the Ghanaian population.
The experts made the submission during a panel discussions on “Building a diverse, equitable and inclusive future for Ghana’s petroleum sector” at the just-ended Local Content Conference and Exhibition (LCCE) held in Takoradi, in the Western Region.
The discussions were moderated by Dr Jemima Nunoo, Member of the Local Content Committee at the Petroleum Commission (PC).
Head of Community Relations, PC, Nana Ekua Sakyiwaa Darko, for her part, noted that, society should overcome the challenges in the promotion of inclusiveness in the upstream petroleum sector, including people living with disability.
She argued that PWDs need information and also be assured that the offshore petroleum facilities and space were disability -friendly especially in high rise buildings.
Ms Darko added that, realising these ideals meant the industry should make conscious efforts to ensure the inclusivity of the marginalised.
Ms Darko believes that “With these efforts and collaboration, we will whet the appetite of women in the sciences which appears to be male- dominated, with STEM and oil companies’ allocation of scholarships to students. We are working hard. It’s an issue with motivation and not someone giving us a favour.”
A Senior Geoscientist, at the Petroleum Commission, Modesty, submitted that agenda for inclusiveness should include an industry policy for companies to award scholarships to encourage women.
She explained to participants that students need not change their career of study generally, for technical subjects and that the industry provided spaces for finance, banking and economics, stressing there are more opportunities.”
A Petroleum Engineer at the PC, Dziedzorm Bedzrah, also said, “Women should be given the opportunity to demonstrate their great ideas, latent talents and skills to serve as a motivation, make the industry attractive, foster drive and improve image and content oil and gas industry.
The CEO of PC, Egbert Faibille, observed that inclusiveness of women was key, but, noted the decision should also factor the situation where women “are their own enemies.”
From Clement Adzei Boye, Takoradi
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, a Deputy Chief of Staff, has called for sustained legal and institutional reforms to address gender biases within Ghana’s justice system.
She urged women lawyers to build on the legacy of trailblazers who have shaped the country’s legal landscape.
Madam Bampoe Addo made the call at the maiden Biennial Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Women’s Forum, organised in collaboration with the Ghana School of Law in Accra on Tuesday.
The event was on the theme: “The role of women lawyers in national development: honouring trailblazers.”
Madam Bampoe Addo said the progress made by women in the legal profession was not accidental but the result of years of struggle, sacrifice and determination.
She paid tribute to early trailblazers such as Matilda Foster and Annie Jiagge, saying their achievements broke barriers and opened doors for generations of women lawyers.
She commended the contributions of female judicial leaders, including Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, Mrs Sophia Akuffo, and Mrs Gertrude Torkornoo, whose leadership reflected the growing influence of women in Ghana’s judiciary.
Women lawyers had made significant contributions across multiple sectors, including the courtroom, academia, policy development, civil society advocacy and community engagement.
Madam Bampoe Addo noted that their efforts had advanced gender equality, strengthened institutions and improved access to justice in the country.
She expressed concern about the persistent gender biases within the justice system, particularly in some judicial pronouncements that could undermine the dignity of women.
The courts, she noted, must not only deliver justice but must also communicate it in a manner that upheld respect and fairness for all parties.
“There is undervaluation of women’s unpaid domestic labour, including caregiving responsibilities, which are often overlooked in legal determinations, especially in matrimonial cases,” she added.
She called for a more progressive and context-sensitive approach to adjudication, drawing on comparative jurisprudence from other jurisdictions to ensure fairness and equity.
Madam Bampoe Addo urged legal practitioners and judges to build on progressive legal precedents and ensure that Ghana’s legal system evolved to reflect contemporary social realities.
She emphasised the importance of mentorship and inclusivity, encouraging women in leadership to create opportunities for others and support the next generation of female lawyers.
She called on young women to pursue legal careers with confidence, adding that the profession offered vast opportunities to contribute to national development.
Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Donkor, the Director-General of CID, said women lawyers played indispensable roles in shaping Ghana’s legal and governance systems.
They had excelled in various fields and occupied key leadership positions, contributing to policy reforms and championing justice for vulnerable groups, she added.
COP Donkor paid tribute to trailblazing women lawyers whose achievements continued to inspire and motivate younger generations to strive for excellence.
She urged students and young practitioners to go beyond academic successes and embrace the broader mission of promoting justice, fairness and societal transformation.
She encouraged more women lawyers to consider careers in the Ghana Police Service, describing law enforcement as a critical area where legal expertise was needed to strengthen justice delivery.
She commended the organisers of the conference for the success, saying it would encourage the next generation of women lawyers to continue to make significant contributions to Ghana’s development. – GNA
The Dzidula Pink Foundation has engaged expectant mothers on cervical cancer at a recent pregnancy clinic held at St Gregory Hospital, Budumburam in the Awutu Senya East District.
The engagement formed part of its advocacy on early cancer detection to safeguard maternal health.
It also formed part of the foundation’s broader mission to raise awareness about cancers affecting women, particularly at a time when many may be least likely to consider screening especially pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Addressing a gathering of pregnant women at the clinic, the president of the foundation, Ms Fafa Gozo, highlighted a worrying trend where a significant number of women are diagnosed with cancer around the time of delivery.
This, she noted, often results from delayed screening and limited awareness about the importance of early detection.
She educated the women about the need to prioritise their health by undertaking timely cancer screening, even while navigating the demands of pregnancy.
She reiterated that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality.
“Pregnancy should not be a reason to delay screening. In fact, it is a critical period where heightened awareness can save lives,” Ms Gozo said.
The engagement also created a platform for open dialogue, allowing the expectant mothers to ask questions, share concerns, and receive guidance from health professionals present at the clinic.
Health experts at the facility echoed the foundation’s message, underscoring that routine checks and screenings, when done early, can lead to timely interventions and better health outcomes for both mother and child.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
