GirledUp STEM Initiative Launched

Dignitaries at the launch of Girledup

 

An initiative to mentor, inspire and provide resource support to girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education campaign ‘GirledUp’ Ghana has been launched.

Public Diplomacy Counselor at the US Embassy in Ghana, Emily Fertik, speaking at the event, highlighted the importance of STEM education in shaping the future of individuals and societies alike.

She noted that by cultivating skills in STEM, individuals would be equipped with the tools to navigate and contribute meaningfully to an increasingly complex and technologically-driven world.

Ms. Fertik further stressed the need to include the “Arts” components when discussing STEM issues and hence advocated for STEAM and not just STEM.

This, she said, is needed for scientists to properly communicate science, which essentially is an art.

She also reiterated the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to promoting girls in STEM education and careers in the country.

Senior Research Scientist, CSIR-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute, Ghana, and Founder of GirledUp Ghana, Dr. Justina Onumah, indicated that representation and exposure of the young girls’ mattered if they were to be seen breaking barriers in the areas of STEM.

“For girls and women in STEM, the challenge is not just about pursuance in STEM but the persistence in STEM to ensure they don’t give up along the way,” she said.

With mentorship and guidance, she said GirledUp Ghana would support girls to persist in STEM and become the biggest possibilities of themselves, adding, “We want to see girls and women contributing to an inclusive and diversified technologically advanced society one day.”

Senator from the State of Delaware, USA, Christopher Coons, in a recorded video, commended Dr. Onumah for the initiative and encouraged the Initiative to be strong and build mentorship networks for girls to dream big, adding that ‘GirledUp’ Ghana had what it took to change the lives of girls in Ghana.

The initiative was launched as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange Programme, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with support from the Embassy of the United States in Accra Ghana, University of Delaware and Girls Inc of Delaware.

A Daily Guide Report

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