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The Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development (DRID) of the University of Education (UEW), Prof. Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, has been inducted into office as the first female substantive Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university.
She had previously held the positions of Deputy Director at DRID, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Education, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Head of the Department of Geography Education and Examinations Officer at the Department of Geography Education, all at the UEW.
Following her induction, Prof. Danso-Wiredu told the Daily Graphic that although two women had previously acted in the position, she saw her assumption to the high office in a substantive capacity as an opportunity to continue what her predecessors had done and to improve on the visibility of UEW.
“I see it (new position) as another phase of my life which allows me to contribute my quota to the development of the University of Education, Winneba.
“This is an opportunity to be closer to various stakeholders of the university and to deepen my understanding of the university system. I see it as a privilege to enhance my horizon to handle more challenging issues,” she said.
On the lessons she thought young girls could learn from her elevation to her new role, Prof. Danso-Wiredu said young females should note that feminism did not limit them to fulfilling their professional goals as they take up their roles in the family as wives and mothers.
With determination, hard work, perseverance and God on their side, she said, “Nothing is impossible to achieve.”
Asked what advice she would offer to the current generation of girls considering a career in academia, she said, “It is challenging but an area to bring to bear your creativity and an opportunity to encounter students from different parts of the country.
The joy of mentoring many people is an opportunity that needs to be grabbed with joy if you find yourself in academia.”
Prof. Danso-Wiredu enumerated her vision and plans to make a positive impact including enhancing academic excellence & research advancement, promoting an environment to support staff empowerment and welfare, promoting leadership of inclusivity and transformation, developing a strategic framework for institutional visibility, and promotion and growth.
Others are to lead discussions to improve academic and student records, enhance professional development and training at the university, as well as develop a five-year strategic plan to train staff on grant proposal writing.
She thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his nomination and the opportunity given to her to serve the university. She also thanked the support received from the entire university, especially her campaign team, the Geography Department and the staff of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development (DRID).
Prof. Danso-Wiredu was born in Asamankese to Regina Aboagye and the late Emmanuel Kofi Yeboah.
Prof. Danso-Wiredu, who is the fifth of six children of her mother, lost her father when she was a little over two years old and, therefore, grew up in her maternal family home.
She attended the Asamankese Presbyterian Primary A&B and then continued at the Presby Junior Secondary School, after which she continued to St Rose’s Secondary School at Akwatia to study Geography, French and Economics.
She then proceeded to the University of Ghana to read B.A. Geography and Resource Development as her major.
Then to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Norway, where she read M.Phil. Social Change and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education at the University of Education, Winneba.
She also went to the Katholieke University, Leuven (KULeuven) in Belgium for her PhD in Geography.
Having worked with Prof. Elizabeth Ardayfio Schandorf, currently an Emerita at the Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, she said she was slightly influenced by her.
“When I started working at the University of Education, Winneba, there were some women that I looked up to; Prof. Ruby Hanson of UEW and Prof. Nana Aba Amfo, now Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana.
*"I wish to express my deepest appreciation to the distinguished academics who have contributed to my intellectual growth and development. Their scholarly insights and expertise have been invaluable to me, and I am deeply indebted to their wisdom and guidance,” she said.
