WAI Ghana empowers next generation of female aviation professionals

The 11th edition of Girls in Aviation Day has been commemorated at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), in line with the global celebration led by Women in Aviation International (WAI) chapters worldwide.

The initiative is designed to inspire, educate, and empower girls aged 8 to 18 to explore careers in the aviation industry.

In Ghana, the event was organised by the WAI Ghana Chapter, which comprises female professionals working across various sectors of aviation.

Students from six institutions, namely Tema Senior High School, Methodist Day Senior High School, Peki Senior High School, Accra High School, Corpus Christi Senior High School, and the African Science Academy, were sponsored to participate in this year’s programme.

In her opening remarks on October 25, 2025, the President of the WAI Ghana Chapter, Juliet Okae, emphasised the importance of exposing students to the diverse opportunities within the aviation sector.

Since its inception in 2015, the Ghana Chapter has remained committed to advancing the role of women and girls in aviation.

She noted that Girls in Aviation Day is celebrated annually in over 19 countries, with more than 150 events held across the globe.

She also announced that the 2026 celebration will be hosted in Ghana’s Northern Region, expanding outreach and providing more girls with firsthand exposure to aviation careers.

The Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, who served as Special Guest of Honour, commended the WAI Ghana Chapter for its dedication to empowering young women.

In her address, she reminded attendees that aviation encompasses much more than piloting aircraft. According to her, it is a field driven by teamwork, innovation, service, and global connectivity. She described aviation as a passion-fuelled industry that thrives on discipline and the desire to positively impact lives through travel and technology.

Opare encouraged the students to consider careers such as piloting, engineering, air traffic control, and airport management.

“I look forward to the day when many of you return as professionals leading teams, managing operations, and inspiring the next generation of women in aviation,” she said.

Women in Aviation International is a non-profit organisation committed to advancing women in all aviation and aerospace career fields. Through initiatives like Girls in Aviation Day, WAI provides educational outreach to young girls both locally and internationally.

SP/MA