The University of Ghana, in a colourful ceremony, has launched its Gender Policy. The event took place at the Great Hall of the University, with many dignitaries gracing the occasion.
The Gender Policy aims at providing a framework document for achieving a gender equitable environment that engages both males and females in all critical spheres of decision-making.
The overarching aim of the policy is to mainstream gender in all University policies and procedures.
The policy highlights areas such as Implementation and Compliance Institutions, Individual/Group Complaints Mechanisms, Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as Grievance Procedures, among others. Definitions of key terms such as Gender Equity and Gender Balance are also provided in the policy.
Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, Chancellor of UG, who launched the Gender Policy, expressed her heartfelt joy at the significant achievement. She stated that the launch of the Policy, which will enable the UG community to embrace Gender Equity, was extremely important and timely.
Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, Chancellor
She asserted that the Gender Policy is largely a formalized way of bringing together the many conventions and practices in gender equity that have evolved over the years at the University.
“Today, we celebrate our collective efforts towards the creation of a prosperous community through this launch of the Gender Policy of the University of Ghana. It is important for the University to have such a policy that is binding, and also to have the structures in place to ensure that all are treated equally, and that no member of the University community is treated unfairly because of their gender,” the Chancellor said.
A cross-section of participants at the ceremony
Mrs. Chinery-Hesse emphasized that the University of Ghana's Gender Policy seeks to mainstream gender equality and improve gender relationships both within the University and in the broader Ghanaian social space, in accordance with the National Gender Policy.
Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo noted that as an institution committed to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which focuses on Gender Equality and guided by the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, UG generally abhors any form of gender discrimination. This is backed by the University's fourth strategic priority, 'Gender and Diversity.' The University seeks to create a just and equal teaching, learning, and working environment for all members of the University community on this basis.
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Nana Aba announced that the overall female student population is 50.15% due to the consistent application of the affirmative action policy. She added that this feat needs to be sustained, but more importantly, the institution has to be more targeted in its approach and increase female participation in programmes such as IT, Mathematical Sciences and Engineering.
She then emphasized the importance of working together, to pave the way for women and men, boys and girls, marginalised and vulnerable people to reach their full potential.
Prof. Esther Sakyi-Dawson, Chairperson of the Gender Policy Drafting Committee, explained how the Gender Policy was developed and the various processes it went through before finally being unveiled. She provided historical timelines, approval processes, policy highlights and iacknowledged members of the university community, who contributed to the policy formulation process.
Prof. Esther Sakyi-Dawson, Chairperson of the Gender Policy Drafting Committee
Dr. Deborah Atobrah, Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) briefed the audience on CEGENSA’s mandate, which has been carried out for the past 18 years with the support of the Centre's pool of multidisciplinary affiliates, gender practice partners, and collaborators from other universities. She revealed that there are currently over 60 female and male affiliates from all four colleges of the University, with more than half serving on one of the four CEGENSA committees, namely the Curriculum, Policy, Advocacy, and Monitoring committees.
She added that the Centre hosts a number of mentoring programmes for female academics, with funding from the Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA) and other donors.
Dr. Atobrah indicated that CEGENSA had facilitated the integration of gender courses into the university’s curriculum. As a result, every Undergraduate student has the opportunity to learn the fundamental concepts of gender in order to understand the implications of gender on our society and apply gender lenses to their future field of work.
Dr. Deborah Atobrah, Director, CEGENSA
Some past and present members of the University community who played significant roles in the drafting of the policy, over the years, were recognized at the ceremony. They included, Emerita Prof. Takyiwaa Manuah, Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Prof. Dzodzi Tsikata, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, Prof. Esther Sakyi Dawson, Prof. Mariama Awumbila, Prof. Agnes Budu, Prof. Margaret Amoakohene, Prof. Michael Okyerefo, Mr. Aloysius Dankebe and Former Registrars Mr. Teddy Konu and Mr. Joseph Budu.
Kofi Antonio and his team from the School of Performing Arts, put up a thrilling spoken word performance, which emphasized important points about gender.
In attendance were: Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia, Former Registrar; former Deans and Directors, Deans and Directors, Heads of Departments, Staff, Members of the University Community and Students.
A group photo of dignitaries at the ceremony
Please click on the link below for a copy of the UG Gender Policy
