Dr. Patrick Essien (PhD), President of Molex Foundation Africa, is calling for decisive and coordinated efforts to expand opportunities for girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) across the country.
He says the lack of access to STEM pathways is holding back countless talented girls who have the potential to contribute significantly to Ghana’s development. According to him, the issue is not ability but access — and the gap can only be closed through serious, deliberate investment.
Dr. Essien wants parents, guardians, policymakers, and educational authorities to prioritise the provision of ICT laboratories, mentorship programmes, targeted scholarships, and community-based STEM initiatives aimed at girls, particularly those in under-resourced areas. Without these interventions, he warns, the gender divide in STEM will persist, undermining national progress.
He made the remarks after receiving an honorary award for Outstanding Contribution to STEM and Innovation at the Tech Eminence Awards held in Takoradi in the Central Region.
“The message is simple. When girls gain real access to STEM and IT education, the country moves faster toward innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness,” he said.
Dr. Essien insists that bridging the gender gap in STEM is not just a social obligation, it is a strategic investment in Ghana’s future.
Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku