The age-old adage, “What men can do, women can do better,” came alive on November 13, 2024, at the Principal's Conference Room in Nyankpala as ten young women celebrated their graduation from a specialized training program in domestic electrical wiring. The milestone marked the culmination of the Domestic Electrical Wiring Training Project (WEENorth) — a groundbreaking initiative aimed at breaking gender barriers in the male-dominated technical sector.

The project, sponsored by the ALINEA Foundation in collaboration with the University for Development Studies (UDS), provided participants with hands-on skills in electrical engineering, focusing on installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting domestic electrical systems. Conducted at UDS’s School of Engineering in partnership with its Energy Technology Centre, the program ran from July 15 to October 15, 2024.

A Call to Pursue Excellence
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Muniru Mohammed, Principal of Nyankpala Campus, lauded the graduates for their determination and urged them to aim for greater heights.

"See this as a lifelong journey in electrical engineering," he encouraged. "Do not stop here. Keep learning, keep improving, and aim higher. You have the skills to make a difference, so take your knowledge and use it to gain more experience."

Prof. Mohammed also stressed the importance of higher education, urging the graduates to pursue degrees to broaden their impact. He expressed appreciation to the ALINEA Foundation for its support and called for similar initiatives in other male-dominated fields, underscoring the necessity of gender-inclusive training programs.

Practical Skills for Real Impact
Speaking at the event, Ing. Prof. Shaibu Abdul Ganiyu, Dean of the School of Engineering, emphasized the real-world value of the certificates awarded.

"These certificates are not just for display on your walls; they represent the skills you’ve acquired and the impact you can make in the community," he said. "You must now apply what you’ve learned, work hard, challenge the status quo, and earn the trust of your future clients."

A Catalyst for Change
The WEENorth Project is part of a broader effort to address gender disparities in technical fields and promote economic empowerment for women, particularly in Northern Ghana. According to the program coordinator from ALINEA Foundation, the initiative serves as a catalyst for challenging traditional gender roles.

"We aim to challenge traditional gender roles and demonstrate that women are just as capable, if not more so, in fields that have long been dominated by men," she explained. "This is about creating opportunities for these young women to carve out a future for themselves in electrical engineering and beyond."

The coordinator also emphasized the importance of soft skills, such as communication and negotiation, for the graduates to compete effectively with their male counterparts. She assured that the foundation would provide continuous mentorship and monitoring to support the graduates on their journey.

Gratitude to Facilitators
On behalf of the Energy Technology Centre, Dr. Zarouk Imoro extended heartfelt thanks to the facilitators and faculty who made the training a reality. He acknowledged Ing. Mubarick Issahaku for his leadership and guidance throughout the project.

A Brighter, Inclusive Future
With the backing of ALINEA Foundation and UDS, these ten graduates are set to break barriers and contribute to a more inclusive future in technical education and careers. Their achievement stands as a beacon of hope and progress for women in Ghana and beyond, proving that gender is no limit to success in any field.

Story by: Sumaila Mohammed, UDS Media