On September 1–2, 2025, the Faculty of Biosciences of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala Campus, hosted the Northern Region edition of the “Securing STEM Futures: Empowering Girls in Ghana Through STEM” conference. The event hosted at the Silver Jubilee Auditorium was jointly organised by GhScientific, the Ghana Young Academy, University of Ghana and the University of Birmingham (UK). The two-day event created a dynamic platform for young girls to discover themselves and explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The conference brought together students, teachers, scientists, and mentors under one goal: to expand opportunities for girls in STEM by combining professional development, personal growth, and interactive mentoring. Sessions included motivational talks, practical demonstrations, identity and career pathway exercises, as well as speed mentoring with accomplished scientists.
Day 1 Highlights
Securing STEM Futures for Girls
The Dean of the Faculty of Biosciences, Dr. Nelson Opoku, opened the event by emphasising STEM’s role in addressing Ghana’s most pressing challenges. Professors Fredrick Adzitey, Head of the Department of Animal Science, (UDS) and Suleman Nasiru (Professor of Statistics, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences) followed with words of encouragement, urging participants to embrace the challenges and opportunities in the journey of academia. Facilitators Dr. Thomas Amatey Tagoe (University of Ghana & GhScientific) and Dr. Bunmi Ibrahim (University of Birmingham) then outlined the purpose of the conference: tackling cultural and systemic barriers that hold girls back in STEM and showing them that mentorship and role models can make all the difference.
Students were invited to share their expectations, which ranged from learning more about engineering to discovering career options and meeting role models. The first interactive session, led by Dr. Ibrahim, introduced participants to the Ikigai principle, the Japanese framework for finding “a reason for being.” Through guided exercises, students reflected on the intersection of what they love, what they are good at, what the world needs, and what they could be paid for. This activity encouraged them to begin thinking of STEM not only as a career but as a purposeful calling that combines passion, skills, and impact.
The day’s sessions included a guided personality assessment with the Myers-Briggs framework, led by Dr. Tagoe, which gave students insights into their unique traits and possible career pathways. Discussions around career options highlighted the wide spectrum of STEM professions, from astronomy and data science to agriculture, law and healthcare, helping the girls imagine futures beyond traditional choices. The day ended with reflections on defining success not just by titles or income, but by passion, resilience, and growth.
Day 2 Highlights
The second day opened with powerful online talks. Ms. Afua Kobi Ampem Gemfi a lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Faculty of Biosciences (UDS) inspired participants to be persistent, strategic in networking, and unafraid to claim their space in male-dominated fields, reminding them: “On the table of men, no one will bring you a chair, but if you bring your own chair, nobody will sack you.” Miss Hajara Mohammed, a graduate student in the Department of Statistics from the Faculty of Physical Sciences (UDS), reinforced this message, encouraging the girls to seize limited opportunities with courage and determination.
Practical demonstrations then brought science to life in ways that were engaging and relatable. Dr. Tagoe explained human anatomy using tangible models of body organs, Dr. Ibrahim demonstrated basic drug development with simple household items, and Mr. Yahaya Sumara Sulley from the Department of Forensic Sciences (UDS) guided students through a DNA-based exercise that allowed them to create “hypothetical DNA sequences for themselves and their families” and explore inheritance, identity and crime solving.
One of the most engaging moments was the STEM Speed Mentoring session, where about 20 mentors, ranging from professors to undergraduates, rotated among student groups. This format gave participants the rare opportunity to interact directly with both seasoned and budding scientists, ask candid questions, and hear diverse stories of resilience and success. Notably present were Dr. Lydia Quansah, Head of the Department of Forensic Sciences, and Ms.Fatima Amponsah Fourdjour, a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, both from the Faculty of Biosciences, UDS. They were joined by other lecturers from the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences. One message that resonated strongly across all mentors was the simple reminder: “I was once like you. If you work harder, you will become even better than me.”
The event concluded with closing remarks from Prof. Suleman Nashiru, who encouraged the girls not to fear leadership or participation in STEM but to embrace these opportunities as pathways to shaping the future of society.
Looking Ahead
Over the two days, participants discovered more than career options; they uncovered confidence, purpose, and the assurance that their dreams are valid. By blending mentorship, practical science, and personal development, the conference planted seeds of resilience and aspiration that will continue to grow long after the sessions ended.