Mentorship programme to empower young African women in science, innovation launched by Heritors Lab

Under the theme, “Nurturing skills to pioneer new markets with mentorship”, Heritors Labs Limited, a Ghanaian-owned research and innovation services hub, has officially launched the Women in Innovation and Research Conclave (WIRC) Mentorship Programme in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Ghana (CSIR) and supported by the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund and UKAid.

The WIRC Mentorship Programme is a significant step towards empowering young African women in Science, Technology, Innovation and Research (STIR).

As part of the maiden edition unveiled on 22nd July 2024, the programme paired ten outstanding young women with esteemed female scientists from the CSIR, who will serve as their mentors.

Derrydean Dadzie, CEO of Heritors Labs Limited, expressed his excitement about the program's potential to impact Ghana's scientific and technological landscape.

"We are thrilled to embark on this journey with esteemed scientists who are at the forefront of transformative projects that enhance socioeconomic improvements in different facets of our communities in Ghana.

In collaboration with well-established female scientists, the mentorship program aims to lay a solid foundation for young female innovators and scientists to navigate various aspects and commercialisation in research, innovation markets and value chains.

Supported by our partners, RISA Fund, Heritors Labs aims to empower them to add value to everyday living through scientific and innovative discoveries".

Deputy Director General CSIR Ghana, Prof. Marian Quain, praised the initiative's potential to drive substantial change.

"The mentorship project by Heritors Labs is a commendable initiative that empowers young women to explore and succeed in STIR-related fields.

Funding bodies must recognise the value of such programmes and invest in them, as they offer a tangible pathway for these young talents to make a significant local and global impact in research and innovation", Prof Quain intimated.

The mentorship program is a crucial initiative to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation, enabling participants to develop their projects into marketable products. Barbara Aidoo, Programme Lead for the WIRC Mentorship Program, underscores the profound significance of this goal.

She states: "The mentorship program is pivotal in nurturing young female African talent, guiding them to develop research projects with potential commercialisation.

Our ultimate goal is to assist these young women in transforming their innovative ideas into marketable products that can compete on a global scale."

As a testament to Heritors Labs' enduring commitment to empowering women, the WIRC Mentorship Program is now open to women aged 18-28 who are eager to advance their careers in STIR.

This initiative offers a distinctive combination of mentorship, skill development, professional recommendations, and research support, making it a priceless opportunity for aspiring women leaders in these fields.