Ten final year female engineering students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Ghana (UG), University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) and the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) were announced as recipients of this year’s scheme.

The Telecel Ghana Female Engineering Students Scholarship Programme (FESSP), introduced in 2011, has supported and empowered 90 brilliant female final year engineering students through mentorship, financial aid and tech tools. Through FESSP and other talent diversity improvement initiatives, Telecel Ghana aims to tackle gender imbalance in telecom engineering and inspire more young women to pursue technical careers in the field.

Each of the ten recipients received funding of five thousand Ghana cedis to cover their final year tuition and book fees, a new tablet with six-month complimentary data package, access to mentors and opportunities for internships, national service, the graduate programme as well as full-time employment.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, thanked parents and school leaders for their immense support of the awardees, expressing satisfaction with the performance of FESSP alumni from previous years.

“Your mentorship and subsequent experience at Telecel will equip you with practical industry insights, which is the actual reality of what you are being taught in school. Make the most of the time, knowledge, and experience of your mentors from now,” Ing. Obo-Nai said.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field is traditionally dominated by men. Telecel is committed to improving diversity and inclusion in the engineering field to increase gender representation and foster an inclusive work culture.

Director of Human Resources at Telecel Ghana, Hannah Ashiokai Akrong, said a major goal of FESSP is to help the scholarship recipients commence their careers through rotation programmes in various departments within Telecel to learn first-hand how the telecom business works.

"Diversity and Inclusion is important to us at Telecel because we value diversity of thoughts and perspectives around the table in our work. This initiative helps us to bring more outstanding and talented women through the door to improve our performance. With the right attitude and behaviour being channelled into your work here, you will exceed expectations,” she said.

Danielle, one of the award recipients from the University of Cape Coast - a new partner institution this year – said she was optimistic the experience would give her the boost she needs to transform her academic knowledge into practical, hands-on industry experience. “I am most excited about the mentorship opportunities. I believe there’ll be a lot to learn from the seasoned professionals here at Telecel Ghana.”

The Dean of Faculty of Engineering at Ghana Communication Telecom University, Dr. Ruhiya Abubakar, said initiatives like this are crucial in encouraging young women to pursue careers in engineering and other fields. “This programme will go a long way to bridge the gap between academia and industry and I believe it is very commendable.”

Telecel Ghana’s FESSP is a remarkable initiative that demonstrates the organisation’s unwavering commitment to empowering women and bridging the gender gap in STEM fields. The programme’s success stories showcase the significant impact of the programme on the lives of young women in Ghana. By investing in the next generation of female engineers, Telecel Ghana is helping to create a diverse and inclusive workforce that drives innovation and growth.