The programme seeks to promote and encourage women throughout their scientific careers.

Mr Tahirou Gourouza, Programme Manager for Africa, L'Oréal Foundation speaking at the launch in Accra, said 'For Women in Science partnership' has also developed a global network of International, Regional and National Fellowship programmes aimed at supporting young women, who represent the future of science.

He said in 2019, a total of 20 winners comprising 15 PhD students and five Post-doctorates students would be offered grants for the Sub-Saharan Africa Region with applicants for the PhD category receiving € 10, 000 and for the Post-doctorate taking € 15, 000.

Mr Gourouza said this year's call for application began on February 25 and would continue till April 28, 2019.

He said each year, the programme highlights scientific excellence and encourages talent through, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards, given each year to five outstanding women scientists – one per continent – for the contributions of their research, the strength of their commitments and their impact on society.

Mr Gourouza said the UNESCO-L'Oréal International Rising Talents, grants annually 15 promising young women scientists, at the doctoral or post-doctoral level, which encourage international scientific cooperation and the development of cross-cultural networks.

"The L'Oréal National Fellowships with the support of the UNESCO National Commissions, anchor the For Women in Science programmes in countries around the world, while respecting their particularities and specific needs.

Mr Gourouza said fellowships have been granted to more than 3,100 women in over 115 countries, permitting them to pursue their research in institutions at home or abroad.

He said the programme has become a benchmark of scientific excellence on an international scale, which brings visibility to outstanding women scientists and thus provides strong role models to girls and young women considering science careers.

He said these fellowship awards have been designed to provide financial support for female scientists, who were starting out in their careers, for a 12-month period of postdoctoral research in the fields of physical and life sciences, including biomedical science disciplines.

"The funds can be used on scientific equipment, travel costs or whatever is needed to further your research with successful applicants receive training and networking opportunities," he said.

Mr Gourouza said the top three selection criteria in excellence of the academic records: including number, quality and impact of the publications, conference presentations, patents, Scientific quality, innovative nature of the research project and its potential application.

"Candidates must be no more than 40 years old by the end of the application period for PhD and not more than 45 years for Post-doctoral," he said.

Mr Sekou Coulibaly, the Managing Director, L'Oréal West Africa, said "we do not have so many applications coming from Ghana but we know Ghana is a big country in the Sub-region."

He expressed the hope that with the launch held here in Ghana, more candidates would apply and get selected.