The Government of Ghana in its efforts to promote scientific research launched an initiative to empower stakeholders to incorporate Gender, Equity, Inclusivity, and Intersection (GEII) into scientific, research, and evaluation processes. The aim is to ensure that gender considerations are not relegated to peripheral discussions but become an integral part of policy development, research evaluation, and knowledge creation.
Mr. Cephas Adjei Mensah, the Director of Research, Statistics, and Information Management at the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST), who was speaking during opening of a training workshop in Accra on Tuesday, 11th March urged stakeholders to support the agenda.
The two-day training, organized by MEST with support from the Human Science Research Council, brought together representatives from universities, research institutions, and security agencies.
Mr. Mensah acknowledged that while Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) was a powerful driver of national development, its full potential could only be realised when it was inclusive and reflected diverse perspectives in its research. “The persistent gender disparities in research and evaluation continue to pose barriers to innovation and equitable progress. Our collective responsibility, therefore, is to dismantle these barriers by embedding GEII principles into our policies, programmes, and evaluation mechanism,” he said. “By building their capacity to recognize and address unconscious biases and gender norms, we empower them to influence the funding landscape and ensure that research projects contribute to the broader goal of inclusivity.
“When we remove barriers and create equal opportunities, we unlock the full potential of our researchers, fostering innovation that benefits everyone,” he added.
“If you do not ensure inclusivity, you will be leaving some people behind. We want to carry people along with us,” he said.
Dr. Wilhelmina Quay, the Director of the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (STEPRI), stated that failing to ensure inclusivity would result in leaving certain groups behind, emphasizing the importance of bringing everyone along.
She said that ensuring diversity in the scientific research ecosystem would help open equal opportunities for men, women, children, young females, young males, and marginalised groups.
“With inclusion, the capacity of the youth will be built to take over from the old,” she said.
Source: GNA