● Nana Afrah Sika Mensah

 It is without doubt, that harnessing the expertise and techniques of students in second-cycle institutions is a requisite for building a buoyant nation which has the potency of making a resilient economy.

The Spectator, in this week’s profile, has spotted a phenomenal woman whose interest in the area of edu­cation, is to help students in senior high schools churn out innovative and inventive mod­ules while studying science, technology and its related programmes.

Nana Afrah Sika Mensah, Deputy Coordinator for Free SHS is a public official who is passionately increasing aware­ness and making a paradigm shift to enhance the inter­est of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics among SHS students to help in improving the technological advancement of Ghana.

The Deputy Coordinator during the exclusive inter­view, underscored the need for more investment in the field of STEM education because there are myriad of opportunities for the students offering such programmes.

STEM, a gateway to socio-economic development

Nana Afrah with a voice of optimism told The Spec­tator, STEM was an essential tool that has a significant impact on the socio-economic advancement of the country which tasks students to invent mind-boggling technologies for the benefit of all.

According to the change agent, it is very crucial to imbibe technical know-how to SHS students in order to help them manufacture technolog­ical tools and devices while in school to impact society through the innovations cre­ated.

The Deputy Coordinator explained that, the Free SHS Secretariat of the Ministry of Education ‘STEMNNOVATION’ contest introduced this year, witnessed Senior High/Techni­cal, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions battle the su­premacy of bringing out best projects.

The practical contest, she indicated, touched on three thematic areas including Coding and Programming for socio-economic development, Recycling for socio-economic development and Solar for socio-economic development.

In awe-amazement, Nana Afrah told The Spectator that she was marvelled by the projects undertaken by the students intended to solve societal problems.

Empowerment/ Supporting girls in STEM

The activist of STEM education among women debunked the assertion that the “woman’s place is in the kitchen” and described it as an archaic cliché which can­not be uttered in this modern era of technological advance­ment.

Nana Afrah encouraged female students to venture into areas of STEM because it is a possible field where girls can equally perform as their male counterparts and the opportunities available are also the same for females to also tap into.

The activist was hopeful that there would be a lot of women venturing into STEM in Ghana with the aid of the ‘STEMNNOVATION’ contest which would automatically dismantle barriers associated with gender gaps in the afore­mentioned areas.

“We would integrate STEM programmes right from the early stages and make it appealing for all especially girls by boosting their morale through merit and perfor­mance,” she reiterated the commitment of the Free SHS Secretariat.

She added that women in STEM can also offer a personal input on existing social issues that can be ridden with the help of science and technolo­gy innovations.

“Let’s defy all odds by overcoming obstacles that may pose itself in any form and stay focused to achieve our aspirations with deter­mination and be careful about actions you take at this formative stage because it can make and unmake you,” the STEM advocate made this ardent call.

Motivation/Appreciation

Though Nana Afrah hilari­ously said “Education is in my genes,” she owed gratitude to the Education Minister and his Deputy for their staunch sup­port by making her execute great mandates at the Free SHS Secretariat.

Her motivation spans from seeing students have educa­tion to the fullest without any hindrance and seeing children blossom to be responsible citizens in the society.

She expressed gratitude to all staff of the Free SHS Sec­retariat for their indefatigable hardworking nature to make a feat in all projects embarked by the secretariat.

“Let’s give a standing ovation to my parents, Mr and Mrs Mensah, for their phenom­enal support and motivation which has brought me this far to serve with passion and help unleash talents among the young students,” she said.

She expressed profound appreciation to all her loved ones for the encouragement and motivation they give her.

Nana Afrah’s Journey of being a distinguished Educationist

Her enthusiasm of being an educationist stems from her fondness of seeing children become useful citizens in future.

That, nevertheless, Nana Afrah chronicled her dream of being an educationist by enrolling at the Holy Child College of Education at Se­kondi-Takoradi in the Western Region where she read Diplo­ma in Education.

The determined lady later proceeded to the University of Education, Winneba where she completed with a Bach­elor’s Degree in Education and with the aim of putting herself on a higher pedestal, she went to China’s North East Normal University and bagged a Master’s in Educational Management, Leadership and Policy.

She rose through the ranks as a teacher and occupied administrative roles in the education field to become the Deputy Coordinator for Free SHS and still making significant impacts with her portfolio.

Interests

Nana Afrah is a Christian by religion and an Adventist who as usual cannot hide her love for music which soothes her at leisure hours but unfortu­nately cannot dance and only dances well while sitting.

The ampesi, banku, and fufu lover takes delight in seeing progress in students’ educational level and helping build a buoyant nation.

By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah