AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, working with the Ghana Institute of Engineers Women in Engineering (GhIE-WInE), Underground Mining Alliance (UMA) and SGS, urged female students at Asare Bediako Senior High School to pursue careers in science and engineering on Thursday as part of activities marking the International Day for Women and Girls in Science.
The outreach program, held in Akrokerri in the Adansi North District, aimed to boost girls’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and expose them to career opportunities within Ghana’s mining and industrial sectors. The initiative formed part of global commemorations under the theme From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap.
Industry professionals, including women working at the Obuasi mine, shared personal experiences navigating education and careers in male dominated fields, encouraging students to challenge stereotypes and build confidence in technical disciplines. The event brought together accomplished mentors who detailed academic journeys, workplace experiences and resilience required to succeed in these industries.
Nana Yaw Nti Owusu-Adanse, Engineering Manager for the process plant at AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, stated that opportunities in STEM are vast and transformative. He advised students to prepare themselves, build competence and compete confidently alongside their male counterparts.
Owusu-Adanse said the company is targeting 50 percent female representation by 2030, adding that mentorship and leadership development are critical to strengthening the pipeline of women professionals in mining and related industries. He emphasized that achieving gender parity requires deliberate strategies starting from educational institutions through workplace advancement programs.
The event featured the launch of a Mentorship Program for Girls in Science at Asare Bediako Senior High School, which organizers said would provide structured guidance, career exposure and professional support for students studying STEM subjects. The program establishes formal connections between female students and industry practitioners who can offer advice on educational pathways and career progression.
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine stated the initiative forms part of its broader community investment strategy focused on education and gender inclusion, aligning with global efforts to close the gender gap in science and technology. The company has made substantial investments in STEM education across its host communities in recent years.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed annually on February 11 to promote equal access and participation in science for women and girls, working toward gender equality and empowerment. The United Nations General Assembly established the observance in 2015 through Resolution A/RES/70/212.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) data, women make up less than one third of the world’s researchers globally. Closing the gender gap matters not only for fairness but also for the quality, relevance and impact of science, technology and innovation.
In Ghana, persistent gaps remain in female participation in STEM fields despite efforts to promote inclusion. Cultural stereotypes, limited role models and perceptions about gender appropriate careers continue discouraging many girls from pursuing technical disciplines at secondary and tertiary education levels.
AngloGold Ashanti previously announced plans for a 10 year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) that provides significant investment in STEM with emphasis on promoting girls’ participation. Emmanuel Baidoo, Senior Manager of Sustainability at the mine, stated in 2022 that the plan would focus heavily on building STEM capacity in host communities.
The company has invested over 4.8 million cedis in constructing ultra modern educational facilities including the Sanso Methodist Primary and Junior High School, established a 8.4 million cedis state of the art Robotics Centre at Obuasi Senior High School, and distributed 147,000 Ghana Education Service (GES) approved textbooks to 49 basic schools in Obuasi.
Through the Obuasi Community Trust Fund, AngloGold Ashanti provides 40 scholarships annually to host communities, with recent scholarship beneficiaries receiving 30,420 cedis per year covering tuition, accommodation, laptops and learning materials for tertiary education at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The company donated renovated North Mine properties to KNUST for a satellite campus in 2019, which has grown from 324 students in its first intake to 2,575 students enrolled in 2023-24 pursuing degrees in Engineering, Business Administration, Medical Laboratory Services, Midwifery and Nursing. The university employs 155 staff including 69 senior members.
Asare Bediako Senior High School, established in 1993 in Akrokerri, serves students from Adansi North District in the Ashanti Region. AngloGold Ashanti provided the school with mechanized boreholes and water tanks in 2017, demonstrating ongoing commitment to improving educational infrastructure in its operational areas.
Mining industry data shows women remain significantly underrepresented in technical and operational roles despite gradual improvements in recent years. Companies including AngloGold Ashanti have established diversity and inclusion targets aimed at increasing female participation across all job categories from entry level through senior management.
The mining sector faces particular challenges attracting and retaining women due to perceptions about working conditions, safety concerns in underground environments, lack of female role models and cultural attitudes about gender appropriate careers. Industry leaders argue that improving gender diversity strengthens organizational performance and brings diverse perspectives to problem solving.
Ghana’s mining industry employs tens of thousands directly and supports hundreds of thousands more through supply chains and service provision. Increasing female participation in technical roles could help address skills shortages while creating economic opportunities for women in mining communities.
The GhIE-WInE chapter works to advance women’s participation in engineering professions through mentorship, networking and advocacy for policy changes supporting gender equity. The organization collaborates with educational institutions, companies and government agencies on initiatives promoting STEM education for girls.
Underground Mining Alliance operates as a contractor at the Obuasi mine and has enrolled 12 youths from host communities in apprenticeship training programs aimed at providing entry level technical skills pipelines. SGS is a global testing, inspection and certification company providing technical services to the mining sector.
