As the world marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science under the theme “From Vision to Impact: Bridging the STEM Gender Gap,” the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) continues to demonstrate that meaningful inclusion requires more than intention; it demands structure, policy, and measurable action.
Policy as the Foundation
KNUST’s commitment to gender equity in STEM is firmly anchored in institutional policy. The KNUST Gender Policy (2019) clearly outlines the University’s obligation to promote equitable access to academic programmes, particularly in historically male-dominated fields such as science, engineering, and technology.
The policy mandates affirmative measures, mentoring systems, and accountability mechanisms to address structural barriers that have historically limited women’s participation.
This framework is reinforced by complementary policies, including the Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy, which ensures a safe learning and working environment, and the Disability Policy, which addresses intersecting forms of exclusion.
At the centre of this coordination is the Gender Inclusion and Vulnerability (GIV) Office. The Office ensures that these policies translate into concrete actions, monitoring systems, and measurable outcomes across all colleges and departments.
Turning Policy into Practice
One of the University’s most visible interventions is its affirmative action measure for female applicants into Engineering programmes. Under this policy, qualified female applicants receive a +1 aggregate point adjustment during admissions.
This measure is not preferential treatment; it is corrective and equity-driven. It recognises and seeks to counter historical disadvantages that have limited girls’ access to engineering education.
Strategic Programmes with National Reach
Beyond admissions, KNUST has invested in long-term exposure and mentorship initiatives. A notable example is the establishment of Women in STEM Ghana (WiSTEMGh) at KNUST in 2018.
Through mentorship, outreach activities, and the flagship WiSTEM Girls’ Camp, the initiative has significantly expanded STEM exposure for girls across the country. Participation has grown from fewer than 100 girls in 2018 to over 300 annually, reaching more than 1,000 girls to date.
The GIV Office collaborates with WiSTEM and other campus bodies to ensure that such initiatives align with university policy priorities, sustainability plans, and national and global gender commitments.
Measuring Progress Through Data
At KNUST, progress is evidence-based. Data from the Quality Assurance and Planning Office and Congregation Reports show steady gains.
In the 2018/2019 academic year, the overall male-to-female student ratio stood at approximately 60% male to 40% female. By the 2024/2025 academic year, female representation had increased to 44.60% at the undergraduate level and about 38.8% at the postgraduate level.
Discipline-specific trends also show movement. In the Physical Sciences, female participation, historically around 35–40%, has gradually improved, approaching 40%. In Engineering, where gender disparities have been most pronounced, earlier cohorts recorded male-to-female ratios as high as 7:1, with female representation as low as 13–15%. Today, while men remain the majority, female admissions at entry level have increased incrementally.
These trends demonstrate a key lesson: when policy is intentional and institutionally coordinated, progress follows.
Beyond the Numbers
Statistics tell part of the story. The deeper impact lies in the confidence built, the opportunities created, and the leadership pathways opened for women and girls in STEM. As this year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science calls for movement from vision to impact, KNUST’s approach, rounded in policy, driven by data, and coordinated through strategic leadership, offers a practical model of institutional transformation.
By: Prof. (Mrs.) Mercy Badu
Head, Gender Inclusion and Vulnerability Office
