Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dean of Engineering School at the University of Ghana, says breaking limits requires resilience, courage, and the willingness to take risks.
She said it also required the creation of safe spaces where young people feel supported as they explore their capabilities.
Prof. Kaufmann was speaking at the launch of the Woman In Tech Ghana Chapter in Accra on the theme “Mentoring the Next Generation of Leaders.”
The Ghana chapter started operation on June 3, 2024, with three Executive Members (a Chapter Ambassador and two Members), but currently has seven Executive Members, 137 members on its WhatsApp platform, with presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
Since its inception in 2018, Women in Tech Global has become the leading global organization supporting women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
It is to build a community where access to knowledge, Innovation, and Business opportunities, is based on interest and ability and not gender and strengthen collaboration and teamwork among women, organizations, institutions, and businesses, with a shared commitment to achieving the 2030 agenda and creating sustainable impact.
Prof. Kaufmann said as educators inspired young people to break limits, “we should remember that limits come in many forms.”
She said some of these forms were societal, traditional expectations, financial barriers, or gender stereotypes.
Others are deeply personal, such as self-doubt or fear of failure.
“We must work together to address these obstacles, whether through mentorship programmes, community support, or policies that give every child a fair shot at success,” she added.
She called for a breakdown of these barriers so that every child in Ghana, regardless of their background, could dream bigger.
“Today, as we reflect on our role in shaping that future, let’s commit ourselves to breaking every limit that holds our young people back,” she said.
Prof Kaufmann said together, they could create a world where no dream was too big, no problem was unsolvable, and no future was beyond reach.
Madam Luvina Sandra Atsu – Chapter Ambassador said it was to cultivate an environment that inspired creativity and innovation, driving personal and professional growth for women and building a dynamic community of achievers.
She said it was to build a welcoming and supportive space filled with positivity, where women feel valued, respected, and encouraged in their career paths.
“Equipping young girls with confidence by providing exposure to technology and mentorship opportunities that inspire them to realize their full potential, bridging the mentorship gaps and nurturing the next generation of tech leaders,” she said.
She said Women In Tech Global based in Paris, covering 63 countries and with over 400,000 members was more than just a network; it was a social enterprise committed to driving and measuring the impact of its commitments.
She said to date, it had a significant impact on the lives of more than a third of a million people worldwide, aligning with and contributing to the achievement of seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mrs. Gloria Opoku Anti, the Executive Director of Jospong Group, commended the leadership of the Women In Tech Ghana Chapter for their efforts to empower the next generation of girls in Tech.
She said together they could create a platform that would promote growth in the tech space because they had a shared responsibility to mentor the young girls.
She said the role of mentorship in breaking barriers for tech women was truly vital.
