Sixty young ladies received training in robotics during the SHEROES in STEM Cohort 2 bootcamp. The bootcamp, on the theme “Breaking barriers to access higher education”, was powered by Molex Foundation Africa, a foundation empowering young African girls to overcome barriers and accomplish excellence in STEM fields.
At the closing ceremony of the bootcamp held at the Tang Palace Hotel in Accra, which saw the remembrance of one of the significant contributors to the SHEROES in STEM initiative, the CEO of Molex Foundation Africa, Dr Patrick Essien, announced that the next edition of the bootcamp is looking at training 200 girls in Northern Ghana.
“Molex Foundation is poised that this programme will not end here. Last year, we hosted girls from the Central and Western regions. This year, we decided to extend our tentacles. So, we reached as far as the Northern region, training three girls from there. We believe that next year, we are not hitting the Southern sector again, but we are going straight to the North. And we have been hosting only sixty girls, but next year, we are targeting that we will host 200 girls in the North.”
He gave the reason that, “This is because, when we pass through the roads of Accra, we see most of our “kayayo” girls coming from the North. We can’t just talk about it. If we want to stop this, it has to begin from somewhere. Let’s try to motivate these young girls, give them skills. We don’t believe that “behind every successful man, there’s a woman” but rather “in every successful or great achievement, there is a woman leading.”
The three girls from the Northern region trained during the Cohort 2 bootcamp were supported by the member of parliament of Talensi, Daniel Dung Mahama. In his address, he encouraged parents to have a high regard for the education of their female children.
“For us to have these 60 young ladies being trained in robotics for two weeks, I will take this opportunity to thank SHEROES in STEM for organising this. I will also encourage all parents to give a very good opportunity to our young ladies. How can we do that? We need to train our young girls not only for the kitchen, like what they used to say, but also give them the opportunity and education. The same opportunity given to the boys should be given to our young ladies too, to inspire them to work well.”
He added, “When you go to our hospitals, markets, you see how women work hard. Whenever you are in a hospital, and assistance is required, women are called. So, when women are given opportunities, I am motivated and happy. To our talented young ladies, given this opportunity, truly, to build a strong Ghana, we need to have science, technology, engineering and innovation. Take this opportunity seriously to inspire future generations.”
Rebecca Ashare is the director for human resources and administration of GIFEC at the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation. She lauded the participants of the bootcamp and promised her outfit’s support for the Molex Foundation.
“I congratulate every Shero graduating today. You have shown us that when girls are given an opportunity, they don’t just succeed, they excel, lead and inspire. GIFEC is ready to support the Molex Foundation in any way we can to amplify their initiatives. We will make a positive impact on the community, foster innovation and contribute to the development of the talents of women in STEM. To Molex Foundation Africa, we commend your visionary initiative and reaffirm our commitment to walk this journey with you. Together, let us build a future where every Ghanaian girl can boldly declare, “I am a Shero, I am a leader, I belong in STEM”.
At Molex Foundation Africa, showcasing the stories of resilient and talented girls aims to inspire a new generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
