At a time when the future of work is increasingly driven by science and technology, 118 girls from junior and senior high schools across Ghana have proven that girls belong at the heart of innovation.
Through a five-day intensive boot camp, young girls from various regions participated in a hands-on robotics and STEM training organised under Plan International Ghana’s “She Leads” Project. The boot camp combined science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with leadership development, confidence building, and positive social behaviours, equipping participants with skills to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
🔧 Breaking Barriers Through Hands-On Learning
During the boot camp, the girls actively built robots, connected electrical tools, and learned basic programming, transforming theory into practice. For many participants, this was their first direct exposure to robotics—an experience that challenged long-held stereotypes that STEM is “for boys”.
Gabriella, a final-year senior high school student, described the experience as life-changing:
“From this boot camp I have learned how to build my confidence and overcome shyness. I have also learned how to connect electrical tools to create robots and do some programming. From the skills acquired, I aspire to become a mechanical engineer, and I will learn harder to achieve my dreams.”
Her story reflects a wider transformation happening among the girls—one where curiosity replaces fear, and ambition replaces limitation.
Building Confidence, Leadership and Purpose
Beyond technical skills, the boot camp focused on personal development and leadership. Participants were guided on confidence, discipline, hygiene, goal-setting, and responsible behaviour—qualities essential for leadership in any field.
Deborah, another final-year student, shared how the programme has reshaped her outlook:
“This platform has allowed me to boost my confidence and be a role model for others. I have learned how to be a star in my community through positive conduct, focusing on my books, and achieving my aims.”
These testimonies highlight that empowering girls in STEM is not only about technology—it is about shaping confident leaders and role models for their communities.
Inspiring Girls in STEM Leadership
The initiative also marked the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child, reinforcing the global call to invest in girls’ potential.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Joyce Obenewaa Darko, Project Manager of the She Leads Project at Plan International Ghana, explained the motivation behind the initiative:
“Over the years, we have noticed girls are moving away from STEM-related courses into the arts. By giving them hands-on experiences, we believe they will be motivated to explore STEM fields and identify areas where they can excel.”
The boot camp’s theme, “Inspiring Girls in STEM Leadership,” reflects a deliberate effort to close the gender gap in science and technology by starting early and offering practical exposure.
The Power of Mentorship
The training also connected the girls with female STEM mentors, who shared their journeys, challenged misconceptions, and introduced participants to online learning resources to support continued learning after the camp.
According to Ms. Lydia Owusua Agyakwa, Country Network Coordinator for the She Leads Project at Defence for Children:
“Most girls believe STEM is for boys, not girls. I am happy their perceptions are being transformed, and they are beginning to embrace STEM as a field where they truly belong.”
A Collective Effort for Lasting Change
The boot camp was organised by Plan International Ghana in collaboration with its implementing partners and the She Leads Consortium, including Defence for Children and FEMNET, alongside civil society organisations across the Upper West, Ashanti, Volta, Central and other regions.
Why This Matters
When girls are excluded from STEM, societies lose innovation, diversity, and solutions. Initiatives like this boot camp demonstrate that with the right support, girls can thrive, lead, and innovate in STEM fields.
This is a call to action—for government, educators, parents, development partners, and the private sector—to invest more boldly in girls’ STEM education, expand access to hands-on learning, and create safe, supportive spaces where girls can imagine and build the future.
Because when girls lead in STEM, communities rise—and nations progress.
Copyright © 1994 - 2025 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
