Karpowership Ghana, in partnership with the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, commemorated International Women’s Day 2026 with an industry engagement aimed at equipping female engineering students with the skills, confidence, and exposure needed to pursue careers in engineering and the energy sector.
The event, organised under Karpowership Ghana’s theme ‘Empowering Women, Powering Lives’, aligned with the global International Women’s Day campaign theme: ‘Give to Gain’.
It brought together female engineering students for mentorship, career conversations, and practical insights designed to bridge the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Delivering the keynote address on the topic ‘Breaking Barriers, Building Impact: Thriving as a Woman in Engineering’, the Executive Partner at Arthur Energy Advisors, Ing. Harriette Amissah-Arthur, encouraged the students to pursue excellence with confidence, preparation, and resilience.
Drawing from her professional journey, she emphasised the importance of technical competence, continuous learning, and strong professional networks in overcoming barriers women often face in engineering.
She noted that although progress has been made globally, women remain underrepresented in many technical and leadership roles within STEM fields.
“Engineering is not just a profession; it is nation-building. When women make an impact in engineering, entire systems become stronger,” she said.
Ing. Amissah-Arthur commended Karpowership Ghana for creating opportunities that connect students with industry professionals, noting that initiatives focused on mentorship and exposure strengthen the future engineering workforce.
She further emphasised that investing in women reflects the International Women’s Day theme ‘Give to Gain’, where supporting women ultimately strengthens institutions, industries, and national development.
Following the keynote address, a panel discussion explored practical strategies for navigating careers and overcoming barriers in engineering.
Panellists highlighted the importance of personal agency, mentorship, and self-development in complementing policies that promote gender equality.
They encouraged students to build confidence, set professional boundaries, and develop complementary skills beyond technical training, including communication and financial literacy, to enhance their professional growth.
As part of the programme, the students also participated in a practical training session focused on personal branding and financial literacy.
The session guided the young women on how to strategically leverage social media to build their professional brands, showcase their skills, and position themselves for career opportunities.
They were also taken through financial literacy training, equipping them with knowledge on personal financial management, savings, and planning for long-term career and financial stability.
The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon and Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, who attended the event, praised Karpowership Ghana for creating a platform that exposes young women to real-world engineering and leadership experiences.
“I commend Karpowership Ghana for creating this platform that exposes young women to real industry experiences. It is encouraging to see more women pursuing engineering, but we must continue to increase their participation. I challenge the students here to aim high and excel, and I look forward to the day when the best graduating engineering student from this school is a woman,” he said.
The Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, described the engagement as a valuable example of industry-academia collaboration.
“Globally, women remain underrepresented in engineering and technology fields, and initiatives like this provide mentorship, guidance, and industry exposure that encourage women to stay the course,” she noted.
Communications Manager of Karpowership Ghana Sandra Amarquaye highlighted the company’s action-oriented approach to promoting gender inclusion in the energy sector.
“From our all-female internship programme to scholarship support and practical industry exposure, we remain committed to creating pathways that allow young women to thrive in engineering and the energy industry,” she said.
A third-year Agricultural Engineering student and President of Women in Engineering at the University of Ghana, Jessica Tetteh-Coffie, described the engagement as both inspiring and practical.
“The panel discussion, training sessions, and breakout engagements have motivated me to prepare intentionally for life after university,” she said.
The engagement forms part of Karpowership Ghana’s broader commitment to advancing gender equality and supporting the development of future engineering talent, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality.