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New torchbearers in Ghana’s academia?

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 Source: Darkwah, Joel Ayim

Ghana’s academic history has long been dominated by males in the various levels of our educational system. In the early years of education in the country, women had less or little contribution. They were restricted to the homes and kitchen and were seen as a waste to be educated due to our strong cultural obligations. Women were not allowed to school because their parents thought they will finally move into their husbands’ home and will be tied by childbearing and taking care of the home whiles the man works to raise funds to cater for the entire family. In that sense, our ladies were made for the home.

In all such years, the males benefitted immensely by being supported by families to all the lengths of education they aspired to reach. Males became the bearers of academic excellence in all the various levels because of their undisputed dominance. From the late 20th century, there have been calls by various groups in the country to take a look at female education since women can also and should be allowed to aspire all educational heights. Lots of work has been done by governments and activists to increase female education and in the current system , even though our females are not the dominant ones in the various levels of our educational system, the little they have seem to be changing the trends of academic excellence in the country. It seems that gradually, there is a growing perception in academia and the corporate world after school that our females are taking over what our males possessed without competition.

What is the cause of this? Is it that our gentlemen are no longer studious? Is it that our females are putting in more work in school than the gentlemen? Or our ladies are naturally brilliant than our gentlemen. Let’s talk about Ghana’s future. Share your views on this issue.

Joel Ayim Darkwah Joel.darkwah05@gmail.com

Columnist: Darkwah, Joel Ayim