Girls need to add value to what they do - Margaret Aniawu-Asumakah

A metallurgical superintendent at AngloGold Ashanti Margaret Aniawu-Asumakah has advised women to add value to what they do.

Mrs. Aniawu-Asumakah was speaking as a Resource Person at a mentorship program organized by Anglogold Ashanti for female students of Obuasi Senior High and Technical School to mark this year's edition of International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Mrs. Aniawu-Asumakah explained that it is only when women make a concerted effort to add value to themselves and what they do, that will enable them to thrive in STEM-related fields and professions which have been dominated by men.

She said "as women, we should have confidence in our abilities and recognize that we are not in competition with men but rather work hard to achieve our potentials to the fullest.

Citing her personal experience, the Metallurgist who was adjudged the Female Mining Professional of the Year at the Seventh Ghana Mining Industry Awards held last year said, women must be prepared to surmount the challenges that might confront them if they want to succeed in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields.

The United Nations General Assembly in 2015 declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This year’s edition which was the 7th in the series was under the theme Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us"

Anglogold Ashanti Ghana, Obuasi Mine has hinted that their yet-to-be unveiled 10- year Socio-economic Development Plan will provide for a significant investment in the areas of science, engineering, technology and mathematics with emphasis on promoting girls’ participation in these areas.

This was revealed by the Senior Manager of Sustainability, Anglogold Ashanti Emmanuel Baidoo when he delivered his speech in front of Students and teachers of the school.

According to UNICEF, globally, 18 percent of girls in tertiary education are pursuing STEM studies — compared to 35 percent of boys. Again, women find themselves underrepresented in STEM jobs. Women comprise about 40 percent of the STEM workforce. Though women are well represented in health but are acutely under-represented in engineering and technology jobs and in STEM jobs of the future.

This Mr. Baidoo said has encouraged AngloGold Ashanti to create and maintain an aligned and integrated workplace with an underlying all-inclusive culture based on shared values that allow them to leverage the diversity of their employees and communities to achieve their business outcomes.

"Our 3-year Socio-economic Management Plan which was launched in 2019 focused, on among other things, on the promotion of diversity and inclusion in our communities. Specifically, AGA has been supporting sustainable capacity development of women and girls through our enterprise and educational development programmes ".

He called on women and girls to be more active in STEM and make a conscious effort to invest in them.

Intrinsic motivation needed to bridge the STEM gap

Cecilia Mensah, Municipal Girls Coordinator urged girls to be intrinsically motivated to take up STEM-related programs. She said, "though there are signs that we are making headway, we still believe that there are gaps which need to be bridged. Girls must not be scared to take up STEM-related courses and professions ".

Anastasia Adjei, the Girls Prefect of the Obuasi Senior High and Technical School who is also a General Science student encouraged her colleagues to remain resolute in their quest to pursue their course in STEM. She said " though we face a lot of challenges including stereotyping, we should not be discouraged".

Various speakers at the Forum shared their own life experiences and

encouraged the girls to be relentless and resolute in their pursuit for the desired future in STEM-related fields.