CSIR-CRI LADIES CLUB HOSTS STEM CAREER SENSITIZATION DAY FOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
In a proactive effort to promote science education and inspire the next generation of innovators, the Ladies Club of the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) organized a highly impactful STEM Career Awareness Day for senior high school students of the Parkoso Senior High School in the Ashanti region of Ghana.
The event, held on 18th June, 2025, at the school’s auditorium, brought together students, educators, and accomplished female scientists from the institute to discuss the vast opportunities available in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The initiative, part of the Club’s outreach programme, was designed to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in STEM fields and to empower young learners—especially girls—with information, resources, and role models to pursue careers in science and technology. The event was also in response to the global call for increased female participation in science and technology disciplines, which have traditionally seen lower representation of women.
In his welcome address, the headmaster of the school, Mr. Paul Kingsley Arthur, expressed his appreciation for the initiative.
Dr. Joyce Haleegoah, a Principal Research Scientist at the CSIR-CRI and the President of the CSIR-CRI Ladies Club noted that the initiative was a part of the new director’s vision for excellence to enhance the corporate image and the visibility of the Institute. She underscored the importance of STEM careers in addressing Ghana’s development challenges, particularly in agriculture and food security. She emphasized that creating early awareness about the relevance of science and technology is key to cultivating a strong, diverse pool of future researchers, innovators, and problem-solvers.
“Our purpose is to provide the science students with a realistic understanding of what it takes to succeed in their chosen careers and to encourage them to pursue their dreams and ambitions with confidence and determination”, she indicated.
A central feature of the event was an engaging series of career talks by experienced women scientists from CSIR-CRI. The speakers, drawn from diverse disciplines including plant breeding, engineering, entomology and agricultural economics shared their personal career journeys, challenges faced, and accomplishments in their respective fields. The Director of the CSIR-CRI, Chief Scientist, Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante and Dr. (Mrs) Priscilla Francisco Ribeiro, a maize breeder and a Senior Research Scientist spoke about the opportunities and challenges of building a successful career in STEM fields. They brought their peculiar perspectives to the issue. Dr. Ribeiro especially spoke about her passion for talking to young women about her breeding work in developing improved maize varieties that could withstand climate change and pests. There are several career opportunities, and it takes having a vision board, a purpose road map and focus to succeed in these fields.
Ing. Dr. (Mrs) Patricia Amankwaa-Yeboah, a Principal Research Scientist and a Soil and Water Engineer at the Institute inspired students with her personal story of rising from a young girl to one of the most sought-after experts in her field. She emphasized the importance of hard work, dedication, resilience, perseverance and the value of mentorship in navigating careers in STEM. “If the boys are learning for 2 hours, the young women should go for four, which requires hard work because many are the things that distract young women and it takes about 23 minutes to get their thoughts back on what is being studies”, she emphasized.
Dr. (Mrs) Ernestina Narveh Awarikabey, an entomologist, also urged the students to remain determined and never be discouraged by stereotypes or setbacks while Dr. (Mrs) Patricia Acheampong, an agricultural economist, and a Principal Research Scientist, in her speech educated the students on balancing their personal and academic lives. “Effective time management is having control over time for any specific activity, and one has to be intentional about it”, she said.
Moderated by Ms. Elizabeth, Norkor Nartey, the vice president of the Ladies’ Club and a Assistant Research Scientist, an interactive session allowed students to engage directly with the scientists, asking questions about academic requirements, available career paths, scholarships, and internship opportunities in STEM fields. The female scientists offered career advice, shared motivational tips, and demystified misconceptions surrounding science-related professions.
Many students expressed enthusiasm about the insights they gained. Miss Zainab Ahmed Tijani, a final-year science student and the Girls’ Prefect said, “This event has made me realize the many opportunities in science, especially in agriculture. I feel inspired to pursue a career in biotechnology.”
In his closing remarks, the Chairperson of the event, Rev. Daniel Nortey, commended the CSIR-CRI Ladies Club for its leadership in championing science advocacy and mentorship for young learners. He reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to supporting STEM education initiatives and creating more opportunities for youth engagement in agricultural research and innovation.
The event concluded with a call for sustained collaboration between research institutions, schools, and the private sector to inspire and nurture young talent in STEM.
The CSIR-CRI Ladies Club announced plans to extend the STEM Career Awareness Day to other senior high schools in the region and beyond, with a vision to reach a broader audience of students and help build a future generation of scientists, researchers, engineers, and innovators who will drive Ghana’s development agenda.
Author: Elizabeth Norkor Nartey
