The Gender, Inclusion and Vulnerability (GIV) Office of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), in collaboration with WiSTEM Ghana, organised a STEM Open Day for 24 junior high schools within the Oforikrom Municipality to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
The event, held under the theme “From Vision to Impact: Bridging the STEM Gender Gap,” sought to expose pupils to the practical applications of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Head of the GIV Office, Prof. (Mrs.) Mercy Badu, said the maiden edition of the STEM Open Day was designed to introduce young learners to the real-world relevance of science and technology.
“As part of celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we have designed this year’s STEM Open Day to expose our young pupils to the application of science and the many interesting things we can do by studying science,” she said.
Prof. Badu encouraged young women to pursue careers in STEM without fear or self-doubt.
“The first thing I would tell young women is to dream big,” she advised. “There are no impediments, no barriers. If you set your mind to a goal and work hard towards it, you will achieve it. Do not put limitations on yourselves. Being a girl or a woman does not mean you cannot go far.”
Eva Opoku-Berko, Regional Girls Education Officer, reflected on the theme and urged pupils to translate ideas into action.
“This year’s theme reminds us that science is for everyone. As girls and women, we belong in STEM. Science is not just something we memorise from textbooks. Science is life; it is the problems we solve, the tools we use, and the world we interact with every day,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of WiSTEM Ghana, Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Amoako reinforced the message of inclusion.
“STEM is not only for girls; it is for all of us. But we are here to ensure that girls are supported and encouraged to break barriers. Your curiosity matters. Your ideas matter. Your future is possible,” she said.
Prof. (Mrs.) Vivian Etsiapa, National Chairperson of the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), advised students to take personal responsibility for their learning, stressing that self-motivation is key to success in STEM.
“Challenge yourself to learn first so that when someone is pushing you, it is easier. Because it is always easier to support a brilliant student,” she said.
Mr. Eric Fiifi Smith, Regional Sales Manager at Hollard Life Assurance, underscored the importance of exposure and opportunity.
“During our time in basic and secondary school, we did not have this kind of exposure. You have this opportunity today, so take it seriously. Ask questions, engage, and let it shape your future,” he said.
Prof. (Mrs.) Ibok Nsa Oduro reminded pupils that persistence, rather than speed, defines intelligence, echoing Albert Einstein’s philosophy: “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
As part of the Open Day activities, pupils toured several facilities across the KNUST campus, including the Central Laboratory, the Biology Laboratory, the Department of Pharmacy, CARISCA, RAIL, KEEP, RWESCK, the AI Laboratory, the Quantum Laboratory and the Department of Architecture (CABE). The tours were aimed at boosting pupils’ confidence and providing hands-on exposure to scientific research, innovation and real-world problem-solving.
